[287] At one time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Bhaggas at Sasumāragīra, in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, the Deer Park. Now on that occasion the householder Nakulapitā was afflicted, suffering, gravely ill. Then the housewife Nakulamātā said this to the householder Nakulapitā: "Householder, do not die full of concern (sāpekkha). Painful, householder, is the death of one full of concern, and the death of one full of concern is censured by the Blessed One. It may be, householder, that you think thus: 'When I am gone, the housewife Nakulamātā will not be able to support the children and maintain the household.' But, householder, it should not be seen thus. I am skilled, householder, at spinning cotton and at carding wool; when you are gone, householder, I shall be able to support the children and maintain the household. Therefore, householder, do not die full of concern. Painful, householder, is the death of one full of concern, and the death of one full of concern is censured by the Blessed One.
"It may be, householder, that you think thus: 'When I am gone, the housewife Nakulamātā will go to another husband.' But, householder, it should not be seen thus. You know, householder, and I too know, how for sixteen years we have practised the celibate holy life of householders (gahaṭṭha-brahmacariya). Therefore, householder, do not die full of concern. Painful, householder, is the death of one full of concern, and the death of one full of concern is censured by the Blessed One.
"It may be, householder, that you think thus: 'When I am gone, the housewife Nakulamātā will not desire to see the Blessed One, will not desire to see the Saṅgha of bhikkhus.' But, householder, it should not be seen thus. For I, householder, shall be even more desirous of seeing the Blessed One and even more desirous of seeing the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Therefore, householder, do not die full of concern. Painful, householder, is the death of one full of concern, and the death of one full of concern is censured by the Blessed One.
"It may be, householder, that you think thus: 'When I am gone, the housewife Nakulamātā will not be one who fulfils the virtues.' But, householder, it should not be seen thus. As many, householder, as are the white-clad female lay disciples of that Blessed One who fulfil the virtues, I am one of them. And whoever should have doubt or uncertainty about this — that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One, is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Sasumāragīra, in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, the Deer Park; let him approach that Blessed One and ask him. Therefore, householder, do not die full of concern. Painful, householder, is the death of one full of concern, and the death of one full of concern is censured by the Blessed One.
"It may be, householder, that you think thus: 'The housewife Nakulamātā will not be one who gains internal serenity of mind (ajjhattaṃ cetosamatha).' But, householder, it should not be seen thus. As many, householder, as are the white-clad female lay disciples of that Blessed One who gain internal serenity of mind, I am one of them. And whoever should have doubt or uncertainty about this — that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One, is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Sasumāragīra, in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, the Deer Park; let him approach that Blessed One and ask him. Therefore, householder, do not die full of concern. Painful, householder, is the death of one full of concern, and the death of one full of concern is censured by the Blessed One.
"It may be, householder, that you think thus: 'The housewife Nakulamātā has not attained a footing in this Dhamma and Discipline, has not attained a firm foothold, has not attained consolation, has not crossed beyond doubt (vicikicchā), is not freed from uncertainty, has not attained self-confidence, and does not dwell in the Teacher's dispensation independent of others.' But, householder, it should not be seen thus. As many, householder, as are the white-clad female lay disciples of that Blessed One who have attained a footing in this Dhamma and Discipline, attained a firm foothold, attained consolation, crossed beyond doubt, are freed from uncertainty, have attained self-confidence, and dwell in the Teacher's dispensation independent of others, I am one of them. And whoever should have doubt or uncertainty about this — that Blessed One, the Arahant, the Fully Self-Enlightened One, is dwelling among the Bhaggas at Sasumāragīra, in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, the Deer Park; let him approach that Blessed One and ask him. Therefore, householder, do not die full of concern. Painful, householder, is the death of one full of concern, and the death of one full of concern is censured by the Blessed One."
Then, as the householder Nakulapitā was being exhorted with this exhortation by the housewife Nakulamātā, that affliction subsided on the spot, and the householder Nakulapitā rose up from that affliction; and in that way that affliction of the householder Nakulapitā was abandoned. Then the householder Nakulapitā, having risen from his illness, not long recovered from his sickness, leaning on a staff, approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. As the householder Nakulapitā sat to one side, the Blessed One said this to him: "It is a gain for you, householder, it is well gained by you, householder, that the housewife Nakulamātā is compassionate towards you, desires your good, and is your admonisher and instructor. As many, householder, as are my white-clad female lay disciples who fulfil the virtues, the housewife Nakulamātā is one of them. As many, householder, as are my white-clad female lay disciples who gain internal serenity of mind, the housewife Nakulamātā is one of them. As many, householder, as are my white-clad female lay disciples who have attained a footing in this Dhamma and Discipline, attained a firm foothold, attained consolation, crossed beyond doubt, are freed from uncertainty, have attained self-confidence, and dwell in the Teacher's dispensation independent of others, the housewife Nakulamātā is one of them. It is a gain for you, householder, it is well gained by you, householder, that the housewife Nakulamātā is compassionate towards you, desires your good, and is your admonisher and instructor."
End of the Sixth Sutta.
7. Kusala Sutta
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.