4.
The Discourse to Vāseṭṭha
44.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Vesālī in the Great Wood in the Pinnacled Hall.
Then the lay follower Vāseṭṭha approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
To the lay follower Vāseṭṭha seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"The Observance endowed with eight factors, Vāseṭṭha, when observed, is rich in result... etc.
Blameless, they go to the heavenly state."
When this was said, the lay follower Vāseṭṭha said this to the Blessed One: "May my dear relatives and blood-relations, venerable sir, observe the Observance endowed with eight factors; it would be for the welfare and happiness of my dear relatives and blood-relations for a long time. If even all the warriors, venerable sir, were to observe the Observance endowed with eight factors, it would be for the welfare and happiness of all the warriors for a long time. If even all the brahmins, venerable sir... etc. merchants... workers were to observe the Observance endowed with eight factors, it would be for the welfare and happiness of all the workers for a long time."
"So it is, Vāseṭṭha, so it is, Vāseṭṭha! If even all the warriors, Vāseṭṭha, were to observe the Observance endowed with eight factors, it would be for the welfare and happiness of all the warriors for a long time. If even all the brahmins, Vāseṭṭha... etc. merchants... workers were to observe the Observance endowed with eight factors, it would be for the welfare and happiness of all the workers for a long time. If the world with its gods, Vāseṭṭha, with its Māra and Brahmā, and this human population with its ascetics, brahmins and rulers, were to observe the Observance endowed with eight factors, it would be for the welfare and happiness of the world with its gods, Māra and Brahmā, of this human population with its ascetics, brahmins and rulers, for a long time. If even these great sal trees, Vāseṭṭha, were to observe the Observance endowed with eight factors, it would be for the welfare and happiness of these great sal trees for a long time. What then to say of a human being!" The fourth.