[114] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Āḷavī, at the Aggāḷava Shrine. Then Hatthaka of Āḷavī, surrounded by about five hundred lay followers (upāsaka), approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. As Hatthaka of Āḷavī was sitting to one side, the Blessed One said this to him: "Large indeed, Hatthaka, is this assembly of yours. How, Hatthaka, do you sustain this large assembly?"
"Venerable sir, there are these four bases of sympathy (saṅgahavatthu) taught by the Blessed One; by these I sustain this large assembly. Venerable sir, when I know, 'This one is to be sustained by giving (dāna),' I sustain him by giving; when I know, 'This one is to be sustained by endearing speech (peyyavāca),' I sustain him by endearing speech; when I know, 'This one is to be sustained by beneficial conduct (atthacariyā),' I sustain him by beneficial conduct; when I know, 'This one is to be sustained by impartiality (samānattatā),' I sustain him by impartiality. Moreover, venerable sir, wealth is found in my family; they do not think one should be listened to in the same way if one is poor."
"Good, good, Hatthaka! This, Hatthaka, is the right method for you to sustain a large assembly. For, Hatthaka, whoever in the past sustained a large assembly, all of them sustained a large assembly by these same four bases of sympathy; whoever in the future will sustain a large assembly, all of them will sustain a large assembly by these same four bases of sympathy; and whoever at present sustains a large assembly, all of them sustain a large assembly by these same four bases of sympathy."
Then Hatthaka of Āḷavī — instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One with a talk on the Dhamma — rose from his seat, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping his right side towards him, and departed.
Then, not long after Hatthaka of Āḷavī had departed, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, you should remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one endowed with eight astonishing and marvellous qualities (abbhutadhamma). What eight? Bhikkhus, Hatthaka of Āḷavī has faith (saddhā); he is virtuous; he has moral shame (hiri); he has moral dread (ottappa); he is greatly learned; he is generous (cāgavā); he is wise. Bhikkhus, Hatthaka of Āḷavī has few wishes (appiccha). Bhikkhus, you should remember Hatthaka of Āḷavī as one endowed with these eight astonishing and marvellous qualities."
End of the Fourth Sutta.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.