Numbered Discourses 3.20

2. The Chariot-Maker

A Shopkeeper (2nd)

“Bhikkhus, a shopkeeper who has three factors soon acquires great and abundant wealth. What three? It’s when a shopkeeper sees clearly, is indefatigable, and has supporters.

And how does a shopkeeper see clearly? It’s when a shopkeeper knows of a product: ‘This product is bought at this price and is selling at this price. With this much investment, it’ll bring this much profit.’ That’s how a shopkeeper sees clearly.

And how is a shopkeeper indefatigable? It’s when a shopkeeper is skilled in buying and selling products. That’s how a shopkeeper is indefatigable.

And how does a shopkeeper have supporters? It’s when rich, affluent, and wealthy householders or householders’ children know of him: ‘This good shopkeeper sees clearly and is indefatigable. They are capable of providing for their wives and children, and paying us back from time to time.’ They deposit money with the shopkeeper, saying: ‘With this, friend shopkeeper, earn money to raise your wives and children, and pay us back from time to time.’ That’s how a shopkeeper has supporters.

A shopkeeper who has these three factors soon acquires great and abundant wealth.

In the same way, a bhikkhu who has three qualities soon acquires great and abundant skillful qualities. What three? It’s when a bhikkhu sees clearly, is indefatigable, and has supporters.

And how does a bhikkhu see clearly? It’s when a bhikkhu truly understands: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’. That’s how a bhikkhu sees clearly.

And how is a bhikkhu indefatigable? It’s when a bhikkhu lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They are strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. That’s how a bhikkhu is indefatigable.

And how does a bhikkhu have supporters? It’s when from time to time a bhikkhu goes up to those bhikkhus who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and asks them questions: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? What does that mean?’ Those venerables clarify what is unclear, reveal what is obscure, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters. That’s how a bhikkhu has supporters.

A bhikkhu who has these three qualities soon acquires great and abundant skillful qualities.”