9.
The First Discourse on This World
49.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in the Eastern Park, in Migāramātā's mansion.
Then Visākhā, Migāra's mother, approached the Blessed One, etc.
To Visākhā, Migāra's mother, seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"Visākhā, a woman possessed of four qualities is practising for victory in this world, this world is won. With which four? Here, Visākhā, a woman has well-arranged household activities, has an included retinue, behaves agreeably to her husband, guards what has been brought.
"And how, Visākhā, does a woman have well-arranged household activities? Here, Visākhā, a woman, whatever are her husband's internal household activities - whether wool or cotton - therein she is skilled, not lazy, endowed with investigation into the means for that, able to do and able to arrange. Thus, Visākhā, a woman has well-arranged household activities.
"And how, Visākhā, does a woman have an included retinue? Here, Visākhā, a woman, whatever is her husband's internal household - whether slaves or servants or labourers - she knows what has been done as done and what has not been done as not done, she knows the strength and weakness of the sick, and she distributes the solid and soft food according to their due share. Thus, Visākhā, a woman has an included retinue.
"And how, Visākhā, does a woman behave agreeably to her husband? Here, Visākhā, a woman does not transgress what is reckoned as disagreeable to her husband, even for the sake of her life. Thus, Visākhā, a woman behaves agreeably to her husband.
"And how, Visākhā, does a woman guard what has been brought? Here, Visākhā, a woman, whatever wealth or grain or silver or gold her husband brings, that she safeguards with protection and guarding, and therein she is not a gambler, not a thief, not a drunkard, not a destroyer. Thus, Visākhā, a woman guards what has been brought. Possessed of these four qualities, Visākhā, a woman is practising for victory in this world, this world is won.
"Visākhā, a woman possessed of four qualities is practising for victory in the world beyond, the world beyond is won. With which four? Here, Visākhā, a woman is accomplished in faith, accomplished in morality, accomplished in generosity, accomplished in wisdom.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in faith? Here, Visākhā, a woman has faith, she believes in the enlightenment of the Truth-finder - 'Thus indeed is the Blessed One: the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, the Fortunate One, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, Teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.' Thus, Visākhā, a woman is accomplished in faith.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in morality? Here, Visākhā, a woman abstains from killing living beings, etc. abstains from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence. Thus, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in morality.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in generosity? Here, Visākhā, a woman dwells at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess, generous in giving, with purified hands, delighting in relinquishment, accessible to requests, delighting in giving and sharing. Thus, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in generosity.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in wisdom? Here, Visākhā, a woman is wise, etc. Thus, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in wisdom. Possessed of these four qualities, Visākhā, a woman is practising for victory in the world beyond, the world beyond has been undertaken."
She behaves agreeably to her husband, she guards what has been brought.
She constantly purifies the path, for safety pertaining to the future life.
Her too they call virtuous, righteous, a speaker of truth.
Such a virtuous female lay follower;
Is reborn in the agreeable heavenly world." The ninth.