Debtless

§ ii (62). Debtless.

Gradual Sayings - The Book of the Fours – PTS translation

Now the housefather Anāthapiṇḍika came to visit the Exalted One . . . As he sat at one side the Exalted One said this to the housefather Anāthapiṇḍika :         

'Housefather, there are these four kinds of bliss to be won by the householder who enjoys the pleasures of sense from time to time and when occasion offers. What four ? The bliss of ownership,5 the bliss of wealth, the bliss of debtlessness, the bliss of blamelessness.

And what, housefather, is the bliss of ownership ?

In this case I clansman has wealth acquired by energetic striving, amassed by strength of arm, won by sweat, lawful and lawfully gotten. At the thought: Wealth is mine acquired by energetic striving . . . lawfully gotten, bliss comes to him, satisfaction comes to him. This, housefather, is called " the bliss of ownership."

And what is the bliss of wealth ?

In this case, housefather, a clansman by means of wealth acquired by energetic striving . . . both enjoys his wealth and does meritorious deeds therewith. At the thought: By means of wealth acquired . . . I both enjoy my wealth and do meritorious deeds, bliss comes to him, satisfaction comes to him. This, house­father, is called "the bliss of wealth."

And what is the bliss of debtlessness ?

In this case a clansman owes no debt great or small to any­one. At the thought : I owe no debt, great or small, to anyone, bliss comes to him, satisfaction comes to him. This, house­father, is called "the bliss of debtlessness."

And what is the bliss of blamelessness ?

In this case, housefather, the Ariyan disciple is blessed with blameless action of body, blameless action of speech, blame­less action of mind. At the thought: I am blessed with blame­less action of body, speech and mind, bliss comes to him, satisfaction comes to him. This is called "the bliss of blame­lessness."

Such, housefather, are the four kinds of bliss to be won by the householder who enjoys the pleasures of sense from time to time when occasion offers.      '

Winning the bliss of debtlessness a man

May then recall the bliss of really having.

When he enjoys the bliss of wealth, he sees

'Tis such by wisdom. When he sees he knows.

Thus is he wise indeed in both respects.

But these have not one-sixteenth of the bliss

(That cometh to a man) of blamelessness.'

Pāḷi words:

·        iṇa                   = debt

·        aṇa                  = debt (used in negative compound)

·        ānaṇya            = debtless

There are four Kinds of sukkha according to the discourse on Debtlessness

1.            Atthisukhaṃ              the bliss of ownership/ happiness of ownership

2.            Bhogasukhaṃ            the bliss of wealth/ happiness of wealth

3.            Ānaṇyasukhaṃ         the bliss of debtlessness/ happiness of debtlessness

4.       Anavajjasukhaṃ       the bliss of blamelessness/ happiness of blamlessness