[252] 5. This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, these three kinds of sons are found existing in the world. What three? The son of superior birth (atijāta), the son of similar birth (anujāta), and the son of inferior birth (avajāta).
1. "And how, bhikkhus, is a son of superior birth? Here, bhikkhus, a son's mother and father have not gone to the Buddha for refuge (saraṇa), have not gone to the Dhamma for refuge, have not gone to the Saṅgha for refuge; they do not abstain from the destruction of life, do not abstain from taking what is not given, do not abstain from sexual misconduct, do not abstain from false speech, do not abstain from wine, liquor, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness; they are immoral, of evil character. But their son has gone to the Buddha for refuge, has gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has gone to the Saṅgha for refuge; he abstains from the destruction of life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech, abstains from wine, liquor, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness; he is virtuous, of good character. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a son is of superior birth.
2. "And how, bhikkhus, is a son of similar birth? Here, bhikkhus, a son's mother and father have gone to the Buddha for refuge, have gone to the Dhamma for refuge, have gone to the Saṅgha for refuge; they abstain from the destruction of life, abstain from taking what is not given, abstain from sexual misconduct, abstain from false speech, abstain from wine, liquor, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness; they are virtuous, of good character. And their son has gone to the Buddha for refuge, has gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has gone to the Saṅgha for refuge; he abstains from the destruction of life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech, abstains from wine, liquor, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness; he is virtuous, of good character. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a son is of similar birth.
3. "And how, bhikkhus, is a son of inferior birth? Here, bhikkhus, a son's mother and father have gone to the Buddha for refuge, have gone to the Dhamma for refuge, have gone to the Saṅgha for refuge; they abstain from the destruction of life, abstain from taking what is not given, abstain from sexual misconduct, abstain from false speech, abstain from wine, liquor, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness; they are virtuous, of good character. But their son has not gone to the Buddha for refuge, has not gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has not gone to the Saṅgha for refuge; he does not abstain from the destruction of life, does not abstain from taking what is not given, does not abstain from sexual misconduct, does not abstain from false speech, does not abstain from wine, liquor, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness; he is immoral, of evil character. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a son is of inferior birth. These, bhikkhus, are the three kinds of sons found existing in the world."
The Blessed One spoke this matter. In connection with it, this is said:
"The wise wish for a son of superior birth or of similar birth;
they do not wish for one of inferior birth, a destroyer of the family.
These, indeed, are sons in the world, those who become lay followers (upāsakas):
accomplished in faith and virtue, charitable, rid of stinginess,
like the moon released from a bank of clouds, they shine forth amid the assemblies."
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One; so I have heard.
The fifth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.