21.7 The Story about the Householder Citta
Cittagahapativatthu
Dhp 303
Burlingame: Citta the Faithful Lay Disciple
Compare: Dhp-a 5.14
After being taught by Elder Sāriputta, Citta the Householder attained Non-returning, and determined to go and see the Buddha; he arranged a great caravan and provided for all who wished to accompany him; he emptied his carts on the way, but upon leaving, the residents filled them with jewels; the Buddha reflected on what had happened with a verse.
Keywords: Householders, Faith, Gains, Honour
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“The faithful one,” this Dhamma teaching was given by the Teacher while he was in residence at Jetavana with reference to the householder Citta.
This story has been related in detail in the Chapter about Fools in the commentary on the verse beginning: “The bad man may wish for respect.” AJ: Dhp-a 5.14. The verse likewise occurs there.
For it is there said: “Now, venerable Sir, was it solely because he came to visit you, that he received all this honor? Or would he also have received it had he gone elsewhere?” – “Ānanda, he would have received it just the same, no matter whether he had come to visit me or had gone elsewhere. For this lay disciple is faithful and believing and virtuous. No matter what place such a man resorts to, there, wherever it is, he receives gain and honor.” So saying, he pronounced the following verse:
303. Saddho sīlena sampanno yasobhogasamappito,
yaṁ yaṁ padesaṁ bhajati, tattha tattheva pūjito.
The faithful one who is endowed
with virtue, and has wealth and fame,
whatever place he resorts to,
right there and then he is worshipped.
At the end of the teaching many reached the fruition of Stream-entry and so on.