The Brahmin Who Provided for His Mother (SN7.19)

Linked Discourses 7.19

2. Lay Followers

The Brahmin Who Provided for His Mother

At Sāvatthī.

Then a brahmin who provided for his mother went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him.

When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha,

“Worthy Gotama, I seek alms by legitimate means, which I use to provide for my mother and father.¹

In doing so, am I doing my duty?”

“Indeed, brahmin, in so doing you are doing your duty.

Whoever seeks alms by legitimate means, and uses them to provide for their mother and father brims with much merit.

A mortal provides for their mother

and father by legitimate means;

because they serve

their parents like this,

they’re praised in this life by the astute,

and they depart to rejoice in heaven.”

When he said this, the brahmin who provided for his mother said to the Buddha,

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! …

From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”