[139] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling near Sāvatthī, in the Eastern Park, in the mansion of Migāra's mother. Then Visākhā, Migāra's mother, approached the Blessed One; having approached … she sat down. As Visākhā, Migāra's mother, sat to one side, the Blessed One said this to her: "Visākhā, a woman who possesses four qualities is practising for victory in this world; this world is won by her. Which four? Here, Visākhā, a woman is capable at her work; she looks after the household staff; she behaves agreeably to her husband; and she safeguards what he earns.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman capable at her work? Here, Visākhā, whatever her husband's domestic tasks may be—whether with wool or with cotton—a woman is skilful and diligent in them, endowed with investigation into the means appropriate to them, able to carry them out, able to arrange them. It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman is capable at her work.
"And how, Visākhā, does a woman look after the household staff? Here, Visākhā, with regard to her husband's household dependents—whether slaves, messengers, or workers—a woman knows of what has been done that it has been done, and of what has been left undone that it has been left undone; she knows the strength and weakness of those who are ill; and she distributes hard and soft food to each according to their due share. It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman looks after the household staff.
"And how, Visākhā, does a woman behave agreeably to her husband? Here, Visākhā, a woman does not transgress in what is reckoned disagreeable to her husband, even for the sake of life. It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman behaves agreeably to her husband.
"And how, Visākhā, does a woman safeguard what he earns? Here, Visākhā, whatever her husband brings home—money, grain, silver, or gold—a woman secures it by guarding and protecting it; and with regard to it she is no gambler, no thief, no drunkard, no squanderer. It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman safeguards what he earns. Possessing these four qualities, Visākhā, a woman is practising for victory in this world; this world is won by her.
"Visākhā, a woman who possesses four qualities is practising for victory in the world beyond; the other world is won by her. Which four? Here, Visākhā, a woman is accomplished in faith (saddhā), accomplished in virtue (sīla), accomplished in generosity (cāga), and accomplished in wisdom (paññā).
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in faith? Here, Visākhā, a woman has faith; she has faith in the awakening of the Tathāgata thus: 'That Blessed One is indeed an arahant, fully self-enlightened, perfect in true knowledge and conduct, well-gone, knower of the world, unsurpassed trainer of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.' It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman is accomplished in faith.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in virtue? Here, Visākhā, a woman abstains from the destruction of life … abstains from intoxicants—liquor and spirits—which are the basis of heedlessness. It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman is accomplished in virtue.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in generosity? Here, Visākhā, a woman dwells at home with a mind (citta) free from the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, delighting in relinquishment, devoted to those who ask, delighting in giving and sharing. It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman is accomplished in generosity.
"And how, Visākhā, is a woman accomplished in wisdom? Here, Visākhā, a woman is wise; she is endowed with wisdom that discerns rise and fall, which is noble and penetrative, leading rightly to the destruction of suffering (dukkha). It is thus, Visākhā, that a woman is accomplished in wisdom. Possessing these four qualities, Visākhā, a woman is practising for victory in the world beyond; the other world is won by her."
Capable at her work, looking after the household staff,
she behaves agreeably to her husband and safeguards what he earns;
accomplished in faith and virtue, responsive to requests, rid of stinginess,
she constantly purifies the path to safety in the life to come.
The woman in whom these eight qualities are found—
her too they call virtuous, established in the Dhamma, a speaker of truth.
Accomplished in the sixteen aspects, well composed of the eight factors,
such a virtuous laywoman is reborn in a delightful deva world.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.