The Numerical Discourses

Chapter 15: Existence and Inexistence

5. Two Kinds of Favors

1. Thus I have heard:[1] One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

2. It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “There are these two favors. What are the two? They are Dharma favors and material favors. The best of favors doesn’t go beyond Dharma favors.

3. “Therefore, monks, you should cultivate Dharma favors. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

4. When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

Notes

1. This sūtra appears to have had a parallel in another Indic Ekottarika Āgama preserved only in a few fragments. Yusen Okubo documented the fragment of a sūtra on “two favors” (S. dve bhakti) in his paper Ekottara-āgama Fragments in the Gilgit Manuscript (p. 27), which was part of a chapter on gifts parallel with AN 2.141-150. On the other hand, it may be a parallel of AN 2.149 where P. anuggaha can also be interpreted as “favors, assistance.” [back]

Translator: Charles Patton

Last Revised: 30 August 2023