Dear Son

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthi.

2. The Blessed One addressed the monks from there. “Monks, gain, honor, and fame are severe and cruel and it's a danger for him who wants to end unpleasantness.

3. “Monks, a lay disciple who has faith would implore his only dearly loved son: `Dear son, be someone like the householder Citta, Hatthaka, or Āḷavaka.'

4. “Monks, out of my lay disciples, they should be taken as standard examples.

5. Dear one if you leave home and become homeless, be someone like Sāriputta and Moggallāna.

6. Monks, out of my disciple monks Sāriputta and Moggallāna should be taken as standard examples.

7. Dear son do not fall forward for gain, honor, and fame until you have attained your aim as a trainer. Monks, it is dangerous to fall for gain honor and fame without attaining your aim as a trainer.

8. Monks, gain, honor, and fame are severe and cruel and a danger for him who wants to end unpleasantness.

9. Therefore monks, you should train thus: `We will get rid of arisen gain, honor and fame. Arisen gain, honor, and fame will not take control of our minds.' Monks, you should train in this manner.”