24(4)Hatthaka(2)
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Alavi at the Aggālava Shrine.
Then Hatthaka of Alavi,accompanied by five hundred lay followers,[219]approached the Blessed One,
paid homage to him,and sat down to one side.
The Blessed One then said to him:
"Your retinue is large,Hatthaka.
How do you sustain this large retinue?"
"I do so,Bhante,by the four means of sustaining a favorable relationship taught by the Blessed One.
Mentioned at 4:32 and 4:256.
When I know:
'This one is to be sustained by a gift,'I sustain him by a gift.
When I know:
'This one is to be sustained by endearing speech,'I sustain him by endearing speech.
When I know:
'This one is to be sustained by beneficent conduct,'I sustain him by beneficent conduct.
When I know:
"This one is to be sustained by impartiality,'I sustain him by impartiality.
There is wealth in my family,Bhante.
They don't think they should listen to me as if I were poor."
Daliddassa kho no tatha sotabbam mannianti.Mp:"They do not listen to me as they would to a poor man,who cannot give anything or do anything;but they think they should listen to me and follow my advice and do not think they should transgress my instructions."
"Good,good,Hatthaka!
This is the method by which you can sustain a large retinue.
For all those in the past who sustained a large retinue did so by these same four means of sustaining a favorable relationship.
All those in the future who will sustain a large retinue will do so by these same four means of sustaininga favorable relationship.
And all those at present who sustain a large retinue do so by these same four means of sustaining a favorable relationship."
Then,after the Blessed One had instructed,encouraged,inspired,and gladdened Hatthaka of Alavī with a Dhamma talk,Hatthaka rose from his seat,paid homage to the Blessed
One,circumambulated him keeping the right side toward him,[220]and departed.
Then,not long after Hatthaka of Alavī had left,the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus,you should remember Hatthaka of Alavi as one who possesses eight astounding and amazing qualities.
What eight?
(1)He is endowed with faith.
(2)He is virtuous,and (3)has a sense of moral shame and (4)moral dread.(5)He is learned,(6)generous,and (7)wise.
(8)He has few desires.
You should remember Hatthaka of Alavias one who possesses these eight astounding and amazing qualities."