iti.107 Itivuttaka

Very Helpful

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, brahmins and householders are very helpful to you. They provide you with the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicine in time of sickness. And you, bhikkhus, are very helpful to brahmins and householders, as you teach them the Dhamma that is good at the outset, good in the middle, and good at the end, with its correct meaning and wording, and you proclaim the holy life in its fulfilment and complete purity. Thus, bhikkhus, this holy life is lived with mutual support for the purpose of crossing the flood and making a complete end of suffering.”

Householders and homeless alike,
Each a support for the other,
Both accomplish the true Dhamma—
The unsurpassed security from bondage.

From householders the homeless receive
These basic necessities of life,
Robes to wear and a place to dwell
Dispelling the hardships of the seasons.

And by relying on one of good conduct,
Home-loving layfolk dwelling in a house
Place faith in those worthy ones
Of noble wisdom and meditative.

Practising the Dhamma in this life,
The path leading to a good bourn,
Those wishing for pleasure rejoice
In the delights of the deva world.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Very Helpful

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, brahmins and householders are very helpful to you, as they provide you with robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.
And you are very helpful to brahmins and householders, as you teach them the Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And you reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.
That is how this spiritual path is lived in mutual dependence in order to cross over the flood and make a complete end of suffering.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“The home-dweller and the homeless,
depending on each other,
find success in the true teaching,
the supreme sanctuary.
The homeless receive requisites
from the home-dwellers:
robes and lodgings
to shelter from harsh conditions.
Relying on the Holy One,
home-loving layfolk
place faith in the perfected ones,
meditators of noble wisdom.
Having practiced the teaching here,
the path that goes to a good place,
they delight in the heavenly realm,
enjoying all the pleasures they desire.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.