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The Simile of a Field

Khettūpamapetavatthu

Arahants are like a field where we can plant offerings.

Translated by Kovilo Bhikkhu · Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral

  • 0.1PetavatthuBuddhist Ghost Stories
  • 0.2UragavaggaThe Snake Chapter

0.31. Khettūpamapetavatthu1. The Simile of the Field

1.1Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa.Homage to the Blessed, Noble, and Perfectly Enlightened One.

2.1“Khettūpamā arahanto,Arahants are like fields,2.2dāyakā kassakūpamā;Donors are like farmers,2.3Bījūpamaṁ deyyadhammaṁ,A gift is like a seed,2.4etto nibbattate phalaṁ.And from this, the fruit grows.

3.1Etaṁ bījaṁ kasi khettaṁ,The seed is sown in the field,3.2petānaṁ dāyakassa ca;For the benefit of the departed and the donor.3.3Taṁ petā paribhuñjanti,The departed feed from it,3.4dātā puññena vaḍḍhati.And the donor grows in merit.

4.1Idheva kusalaṁ katvā,Having done what's wholesome in this way,4.2Pete ca paṭipūjiya;You honor the departed.4.3Saggañca kamatiṭṭhānaṁ,Having made good karma,4.4Kammaṁ katvāna bhaddakan”ti.One goes to the ground of heaven.

5.1Khettūpamapetavatthu paṭhamaṁ.This is the first (Discourse), The Simile of the Field.