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VINAYA FOR THE LAITY
§ 1. Vinaya for the Wealthy
(i)
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The Blessed Lord did not elevate poverty by calling it a blessed state of life.
Nor did he tell the poor that they may remain content for they will inherit the earth.
On the contrary, he said riches are welcome. What he insisted upon is that the acquisition of riches must be subject to Vinaya.
(ii)
Once Anathapindika came to where the Exalted One was. Having come, he made obeisance to the Exalted One and took a seat at one side and asked, “Will the Enlightened One tell what things are welcome, pleasant, agreeable, to the householder but which are hard to gain.”
The Enlightened One having heard the question put to him said,—“Of such things the first is to acquire wealth lawfully.
“The second is to see that your relations also get their wealth lawfully.
“The third is to live long and reach great age.
“For a true householder for the attainment of these three things, which in the world are welcome, pleasant, agreeable but hard to gain, there are also four conditions precedent. They are the blessing of faith, the blessing of virtuous conduct, the blessing of liberality and the blessing of wisdom.
“The blessing of faith and belief consist in the supreme knowledge of the Tathagata which teaches ‘ This is He, the Exalted One, the Holy One, the Supremely Awakened One, the perfect in Knowledge and in Conduct, the Auspicious, the Knower of all the worlds, the Incomparable Trainer of men, the Teacher of Devas and men.
“The blessing of virtuous conduct which abstains from taking life, thieving, unchastity, lying and partaking of fermented liquor.
“The blessing of liberality consists in the
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