4.
The Second Discourse on Hatthaka
24.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Āḷavī in the Aggāḷava shrine.
Then Hatthaka of Āḷavī, surrounded by about five hundred lay followers, approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
To Hatthaka of Āḷavī seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:
"This is indeed a great assembly of yours, Hatthaka.
How then do you, Hatthaka, support this great assembly?"
"These four ways of supporting others, venerable sir, that have been taught by the Blessed One, by these I support this great assembly.
I, venerable sir, whomever I know -
'This one should be supported by giving,' him I support by giving;
whomever I know -
'This one should be supported by endearing speech,' him I support by endearing speech;
whomever I know -
'This one should be supported by beneficent conduct,' him I support by beneficent conduct;
whomever I know -
'This one should be supported by impartiality,' him I support by impartiality.
There is indeed wealth in my family, venerable sir.
They do not think a poor person is worth listening to in the same way."
"Good, good, Hatthaka!
This is indeed the method for you, Hatthaka, to support a great assembly.
For whoever, Hatthaka, in the past period of time supported a great assembly, all of them supported a great assembly by these very four ways of supporting others.
And whoever, Hatthaka, in the future period of time will support a great assembly, all of them will support a great assembly by these very four ways of supporting others.
And whoever, Hatthaka, at present supports a great assembly, all of them support a great assembly by these very four ways of supporting others."
Then Hatthaka of Āḷavī, having been instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One with a talk on the Teaching, rose from his seat, paid respect to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on his right, and departed. Then the Blessed One, soon after Hatthaka of Āḷavī had departed, addressed the monks - "Monks, remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one possessed of eight wonderful and marvellous qualities. Which eight? Hatthaka of Āḷavī is faithful, monks; Hatthaka of Āḷavī is moral, monks; etc. has shame... one with moral fear... is very learned... is generous... Hatthaka of Āḷavī is wise, monks; Hatthaka of Āḷavī has few wishes, monks. Monks, remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one possessed of these eight wonderful and marvellous qualities." The fourth.