[173] Bhikkhus, there are these eight accomplishments (sampadā). What eight? Accomplishment of diligence (uṭṭhānasampadā), accomplishment of protection (ārakkhasampadā), good friendship (kalyāṇamittatā), balanced livelihood (samajīvitā), accomplishment of faith (saddhāsampadā), accomplishment of virtue (sīlasampadā), accomplishment of generosity (cāgasampadā), and accomplishment of wisdom (paññāsampadā).
And what, bhikkhus, is accomplishment of diligence? Here, bhikkhus, by whatever occupation a clansman (kulaputta) makes his living—whether by farming, by trade, by cattle-herding, by archery, by the king's service, or by one of the crafts—therein he is skilled and not lazy; he is endowed with investigation into the proper means for it, able to carry it out and able to arrange it. This, bhikkhus, is called accomplishment of diligence.
And what, bhikkhus, is accomplishment of protection? Here, bhikkhus, a clansman possesses riches gained by diligent exertion, amassed by the strength of his arms, earned by the sweat of his brow, righteous, righteously acquired. These he secures with protection and guarding, thinking: "How can these riches of mine be neither carried off by kings, nor carried off by thieves, nor burned by fire, nor swept away by water, nor carried off by unloved heirs?" This, bhikkhus, is called accomplishment of protection.
And what, bhikkhus, is good friendship? Here, bhikkhus, in whatever village or town a clansman dwells, there he associates, converses, and enters into discussion with householders or householders' sons, whether young but of mature virtue or old and of mature virtue, who are accomplished in faith, accomplished in virtue, accomplished in generosity, and accomplished in wisdom. He trains himself in accomplishment of faith after the example of those accomplished in faith; he trains himself in accomplishment of virtue after the example of those accomplished in virtue; he trains himself in accomplishment of generosity after the example of those accomplished in generosity; he trains himself in accomplishment of wisdom after the example of those accomplished in wisdom. This, bhikkhus, is called good friendship.
And what, bhikkhus, is balanced livelihood? Here, bhikkhus, a clansman, having known the income of his riches and having known the expenditure of his riches, leads a balanced life, neither too extravagant nor too stinting, thinking: "In this way my income will stand exceeding my expenditure, and my expenditure will not stand exceeding my income." Just as, bhikkhus, a scale-holder or a scale-holder's apprentice, holding up the scale, knows: "By this much it has dipped down, or by this much it has risen up," even so, bhikkhus, a clansman, having known the income of his riches and having known the expenditure of his riches, leads a balanced life, neither too extravagant nor too stinting, thinking: "In this way my income will stand exceeding my expenditure, and my expenditure will not stand exceeding my income." If, bhikkhus, this clansman, having little income, leads an extravagant life, there will be those who say of him: "This clansman devours his riches like one who devours udumbara figs." But if, bhikkhus, this clansman, having great income, leads a pinched life, there will be those who say of him: "This clansman will die a pauper's death." But when, bhikkhus, this clansman, having known the income of his riches and having known the expenditure of his riches, leads a balanced life, neither too extravagant nor too stinting, thinking: "In this way my income will stand exceeding my expenditure, and my expenditure will not stand exceeding my income"—this, bhikkhus, is called balanced livelihood.
And what, bhikkhus, is accomplishment of faith? Here, bhikkhus, a clansman has faith; he believes in the awakening of the Tathāgata thus: "Indeed, that Blessed One is … the teacher of devas and humans, the Buddha, the Blessed One." This, bhikkhus, is called accomplishment of faith.
And what, bhikkhus, is accomplishment of virtue? Here, bhikkhus, a clansman abstains from the destruction of life … he abstains from intoxicants—liquor, wine, and spirits—that are a basis for heedlessness. This, bhikkhus, is called accomplishment of virtue.
And what, bhikkhus, is accomplishment of generosity? Here, bhikkhus, a clansman dwells at home with a mind free from the stain of stinginess … devoted to charity, delighting in giving and sharing. This, bhikkhus, is called accomplishment of generosity.
And what, bhikkhus, is accomplishment of wisdom? Here, bhikkhus, a clansman is wise … leading rightly to the complete destruction of suffering (dukkha). This, bhikkhus, is called accomplishment of wisdom. These, bhikkhus, are the eight accomplishments.
Diligent in his duties of work, heedful, prudent in arrangement,
he leads a balanced life and safeguards what he has gathered.
Faithful, accomplished in virtue, open to requests, free from stinginess,
he constantly clears the path to safety in the life to come.
Thus these eight qualities of the faithful seeker of the household life
have been declared by him whose name is Truth to bring happiness in both respects—
for welfare and benefit in this very life, and for happiness in the life to come.
Thus this generosity and merit of those who dwell the household life increases.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.