Alavakasutta - Alavaka
Thus have I heard:

At one time the Lord dwelt at Alavi in the haunt of the yakkha Alavaka. Then the latter went to the Lord's dwelling and spoke to him as follows: 'Monk, come out!'

'Very well, friend' said the Buddha (and came out).

'Monk, go in!' 'Very well, friend', said the Buddha (and entered his dwelling). He repeated these demands another twice but on the fourth demand the Buddha said:

'I shall not come out to you, friend, do what you will.'

'Monk, I shall ask you a question and if you cannot answer it I shall either overthrow your mind, split your heart, or seizing you by the feet and throw you to the other side of the Ganges river'.

'I do not see, friend, anyone in the world with its gods, maras and brahmas, in this generation with its monks and Brahmins, princes and men who can either overthrow my mind, or split my heart, or seize me by the feet and throw me to the other side of the Ganges river. However, friend, ask what you will'.

Alavaka: For humans here what wealth is best?
What often done brings happiness?
What surely has the sweetest taste?
How living, do they say 'life's best?'
The Buddha:  Faith the wealth for humans' best
Dharma done brings happiness.
Truth surely has the sweetest taste,
"lived with wisdom this life's best.'
Alavaka:  How can the flood be overcrossed?
How overcross the sea?
How dukkha can be overcome?
How win to purity?
The Buddha: By faith the flood is overcrossed.
By vigilance the sea.
By effort dukkha's overcome.
By wisdom, purity.
Alavaka: How can one win wisdom
and riches can be found?
How attain to fame
and bring together friends?
When passing from this world to the next,
how does one not grieve?
The Buddha: One with faith in arahats' Dharma
for attainment of Nirvana,
with a wish to listen diligently
and discerning, wisdom wins.

One who acts appropriately,
who's steady and industrious
finds wealth, fame attained by truth,
by giving friends are gained.

A faithful household seeker has
attained four things: truthfulness,
virtue and courage, generosity,
so will not grieve when passing hence.

Now, if you wish, ask others too,
numerous monks and Brahmins - if
truth and self-taming, generosity
with patience - better than these are found?
Alavaka: Why should I consult with those
monks and Brahmins numerous
when now for myself I know
who benefits my future?

Truly for my benefit came he,
the Buddha visiting Alavi.
Now do I know where a gift
Bestowed will bear great fruit.

Village to village, I'll wander,
town to town
revering the Fully Enlightened One and the Dharma-ness of the Perfect Dharma.
  

 

Sutta-nipata
(Sn. 181-192)

Submitted by Resident Teacher
Laurence Khantipalo