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← Aṅguttara Nikāya

A True Person

AN 8.38 · Sappurisasutta

A quiet mango grove opens toward soft light beyond the trees.

“Mendicants, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. For the benefit, welfare, and happiness of mother and father; children and partners; bondservants, workers, and staff; friends and colleagues; departed ancestors; the king; the deities; and ascetics and brahmins.

It’s like a great rain cloud, which nourishes all the crops for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. In the same way, a true person is born in a family for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of the people. …

A wise person living at home benefits many people. Neither by day or at night do they neglect their mother, father, and ancestors. They venerate them in accord with the teaching, remembering what they have done.

One of settled faith and good nature venerates the homeless renunciates, the mendicant spiritual practitioners, knowing their good-hearted qualities.

Good for the king, good for the gods, and good for relatives and comrades.

In fact, they’re good for everyone, well grounded in the true teaching. Rid of the stain of stinginess, they’ll enjoy a world of grace.”

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.