[140] (50) Bhikkhus, a woman possessed of four qualities is practicing for victory in this world; this world is won by her. Which four? Here, bhikkhus, a woman has her work well organized, she has won over her husband's household helpers, she behaves agreeably to her husband, and she safeguards what he earns.
And how, bhikkhus, does a woman have her work well organized? Here, bhikkhus, whatever domestic tasks there are of her husband's … Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman has her work well organized.
And how, bhikkhus, has a woman won over the household helpers? Here, bhikkhus, whatever domestic servants there are within her husband's household … Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman has won over the household helpers.
And how, bhikkhus, does a woman behave agreeably to her husband? Here, bhikkhus, a woman does not transgress, even for the sake of life, in anything reckoned as disagreeable by her husband. Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman behaves agreeably to her husband.
And how, bhikkhus, does a woman safeguard what he earns? Here, bhikkhus, whatever her husband brings home … Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman safeguards what he earns. Possessed of these four qualities, bhikkhus, a woman is practicing for victory in this world; this world is won by her.
Bhikkhus, a woman possessed of four qualities is practicing for victory in the other world; the other world is won by her. Which four? Here, bhikkhus, a woman is accomplished in faith (saddhā), accomplished in virtue (sīla), accomplished in generosity (cāga), and accomplished in wisdom (paññā).
And how, bhikkhus, is a woman accomplished in faith? Here, bhikkhus, a woman has faith … Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman is accomplished in faith.
And how, bhikkhus, is a woman accomplished in virtue? Here, bhikkhus, a woman abstains from the destruction of life (pāṇātipāta) … abstains from intoxicants of liquor and spirits causing heedlessness. Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman is accomplished in virtue.
And how, bhikkhus, is a woman accomplished in generosity? Here, bhikkhus, a woman dwells at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess … Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman is accomplished in generosity.
And how, bhikkhus, is a woman accomplished in wisdom? Here, bhikkhus, a woman is wise … Thus indeed, bhikkhus, a woman is accomplished in wisdom. Possessed of these four qualities, bhikkhus, a woman is practicing for victory in the other world; the other world is won by her.
She has her work well organized, has won over the household helpers,
behaves agreeably to her husband, and safeguards what he earns;
accomplished in faith and virtue, charitable, free from 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 Dhamma, a speaker of truth.
Accomplished in sixteen aspects, well endowed with the eight factors,
such a virtuous laywoman is reborn in a delightful deva world.
The Uposatha Vagga, the Fifth.
Its summary (uddāna):
In brief, in detail, Visākhā; Vāseṭṭha; Bojjhā the fifth;
then Anuruddha,¹ Visākhā; Nakula; and the two on this world.
The Fifty (Paṇṇāsaka) is completed.
_________________
¹ The Burmese edition reads "puna" (again).
Vaggas not included in the Fifty
The Sandhāna Vagga, the First.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.