Faithful, accomplished in ethics,

bountiful, rid of stinginess,

they always purify the path

to well-being in lives to come.

And so these eight qualities

of a faithful householder of discernment

are declared by the one who is truly named

to lead to happiness in both spheres,

welfare and benefit in this life,

and happiness in lives to come.

This is how, for a householder,

merit grows by generosity.”

Numbered Discourses 8.77 8. Pairs Desires

There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants: “Reverends, mendicants!”

“Reverend,” they replied. Sāriputta said this:

“Reverends, these eight individuals are found in the world. What eight?

First, when a mendicant stays secluded, living independently, a desire arises for material things. They try hard, strive, and make an effort to get them. But material things don’t come to them. And so they sorrow and wail and lament, beating their breast and falling into confusion because they don’t get those material things. This is called a mendicant who lives desiring material things. They try hard, strive, and make an effort to get them. But when they do not acquire material things, they sorrow and lament. They’ve fallen from the true teaching.