a collection of
Buddhist Wisdom Verses

26: Puttavaggo
Children

AN 3.31 Sabrahmakasuttaṁ
With the Brahmās

Respect for Mother and Father

The Buddha explains why parents should be respected and by what names they are known, and summarises it with a verse.

501. ‘Brahmā’ ti Mātāpitaro, ‘pubbācariyā’ ti vuccare,
Mother and Father are ‘Brahmā’, they are called ‘original teachers’, Comm: iti sabbepi te pacchācariyā nāma honti, Mātāpitaro pana sabbapaṭhamā; thus all (others) are known as teachers who come later, but Mother and Father are first of all.

Āhuṇeyyā ca puttānaṁ pajāya anukampakā.
Worthy of offerings, (they are) compassionate to their children, Lit: to their offspring children.

502. Tasmā hi ne namasseyya sakkareyyātha Paṇḍito
Therefore the Wise One will worship them and also respect them

Annena atha pānena vatthena; sayanena ca,
With food and drink, clothes; with a sleeping place,

Ucchādanena nhāpanena, pādānaṁ dhovanena ca.
With massage, bathing, and washing of their feet.

503. Tāya naṁ paricariyāya Mātāpitusu Paṇḍito, BJT: Paṇḍitā; but a singular is more suitable.
The Wise One, because of looking after his Mother and Father,

Idheva naṁ pasaṁsanti, pecca Sagge pamodati.
Is praised right here (and now), and after passing away rejoices in Heaven.

Iti 74 Puttasuttaṁ
Children

The Three Types of Children

The Buddha explains the three types of children that are found in the world.

504. Atijātaṁ anujātaṁ puttam-icchanti Paṇḍitā,
The Wise desire a child that is superior or just the same, Comm: adhikaguṇo, having superior virtue; and samānaguṇo, having the same virtue.

Avajātaṁ na icchanti, so hoti kulagandhano,
They do not wish for one inferior, he is a breaker of families, Comm: kulacchedako kulavināsako, chedanattho hi idha gandhasaddo; breaker of families, destroyer of families, gandha has the meaning here of breaking.

505. Ete kho puttā lokasmiṁ; ye Text: yo; singular, where a plural is needed. bhavanti upāsakā
These are the children in the world; those who are laymen

Saddhā sīlena sampannā, vadaññū vītamaccharā,
Endowed with faith and virtue, being bountiful and unselfish,

Cando va abbhanā mutto BJT, ChS, Thai read: cando abbhaghanā mutto; but it seems to me that a word for like is required by the sense. parisāsu virocare.
Will shine bright amongst the people like the moon released from the clouds.

AN 5.39 Puttasuttaṁ
Children

Good Children

The Buddha explains the five reasons parents want a child.

506. Pañca ṭhānāni sampassaṁ puttaṁ icchanti Paṇḍitā:
Considering (these) five reasons the Wise wish for a child, (thinking):

Bhato vā no bharissati, Text, BJT: bharissanti; plural where a singular is required. kiccaṁ vā no karissati,
Supported he will support us, he will do his duties for us,

507. Kulavaṁso ciraṁ tiṭṭhe, dāyajjaṁ paṭipajjati,
He will long maintain the family heritage, Comm: amhākaṁ santakaṁ khettavatthuhiraññasuvaṇṇādiṁ; our own fields, lands, gold and money. practicing according to his inheritance,

Atha vā pana petānaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ anupadassati.
And then he will make offerings to those who have passed away.

508. Ṭhānānetāni sampassaṁ puttaṁ icchanti Paṇḍitā,
Considering these reasons the Wise wish for a child,

Tasmā santo Sappurisā kataññū katavedino,
Therefore truly Good People are grateful and obliging,

509. Bharanti Mātāpitaro, pubbe katam-anussaraṁ,
They support Mother and Father, remembering what they have done in the past,

Karonti nesaṁ kiccāni, yathā taṁ pubbakārinaṁ.
They perform their duties for them, as was done (for them) in the past.

510. Ovādakārī bhataposī, kulavaṁsaṁ ahāpayaṁ,
Following advice, Comm: Mātāpitūhi dinnassa ovādassa kattā; he does what is advised by his Mother and Father. feeding those who supported him, Comm: yehi bhato, tesaṁ posako. not neglecting the family heritage,

Saddho sīlena sampanno, putto hoti pasaṁsiyo.
Endowed with faith and virtue, that child is praised.

Jā 532 Soṇanandajātakaṁ
Brothers Soṇa and Nanda

The Elder Brother’s Burden

A Royal family, King, Queen and two sons renounce the world and retire to the Himālayas. The younger son wishes to look after the parents, but the elder declares his duty.

511. Mātāpitā ca Bhātā ca Bhaginī ñātibandhavā,
Mother, Father, Brothers, Sisters and all close-bonded relations,

Sabbe jeṭṭhassa te bhārā, evaṁ jānāhi Bhātara. ChS, Thai: Bhāradha; [know this] O King.
All burdens are for the eldest, please understand this, (my) Brother.