7.
The Discourse on Mahānāma
1033.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu in the Nigrodha Monastery.
Then Mahānāma the Sakyan approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, Mahānāma the Sakyan said this to the Blessed One -
"In what way, venerable sir, is one a lay follower?" "Since, Mahānāma, one has gone for refuge to the Buddha, has gone for refuge to the Teaching, has gone for refuge to the Community - to this extent, Mahānāma, is one a lay follower."
"But in what way, venerable sir, is a lay follower accomplished in morality?" "Since, Mahānāma, a lay follower abstains from killing living beings, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from lying, abstains from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence - to this extent, Mahānāma, is a lay follower accomplished in morality."
"But in what way, venerable sir, is a lay follower accomplished in faith?" "Here, Mahānāma, a lay follower has faith, he believes in the enlightenment of the Truth-finder - 'Thus indeed is the Blessed One, etc. Teacher of gods and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.' To this extent, Mahānāma, is a lay follower accomplished in faith."
"But in what way, venerable sir, is a lay follower accomplished in generosity?" "Here, Mahānāma, a lay follower 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 - to this extent, Mahānāma, is a lay follower accomplished in generosity."
"But in what way, venerable sir, is a lay follower accomplished in wisdom?" "Here, Mahānāma, a lay follower is wise, endowed with wisdom that discerns rise and fall, noble, penetrative, leading rightly to the complete elimination of suffering - to this extent, Mahānāma, is a lay follower accomplished in wisdom." The seventh.