[9] A man buries a treasure (nidhi) in a deep pit close to the water, thinking:
"When some need or task arises, it will be of benefit to me —
for release when I am denounced by the king, or harassed by robbers,
or for the discharge of a debt, or in famine, or in misfortunes."
It is for such purposes that what is called a treasure is buried in the world.
Yet however well it may be buried, in a deep pit close to the water,
not all of it will always avail him:
the treasure shifts from its place, or his memory of it becomes confused,
or nāgas make away with it, or yakkhas carry it off,
or heirs whom he does not love dig it up while he does not see;
and when his merit (puñña) is exhausted, all of it perishes.
But when a woman or a man has a treasure well buried
by giving (dāna), by virtue (sīla), by restraint (saññama), and by self-control (dama) —
in a shrine (cetiya) or in the Saṅgha, in an individual or in guests,
in mother or in father, or again in an elder brother —
this treasure is well buried, unconquerable, a treasure that follows one along:
amid the things that must be abandoned when one departs, one goes taking this along.
A treasure not shared with others, a treasure no thief can carry off:
let the steadfast one make merits — the treasure that follows one along.
This is the treasure that grants every wish to devas and human beings;
whatever it is that devas aspire to, all this is gained by means of this.
Beauty of complexion, beauty of voice, beauty of figure,¹ beauty of form,
lordship, and a retinue — all this is gained by means of this.
Kingship over a region, dominion, the cherished bliss of a universal monarch (cakkavatti),
even rulership of the devas in the heavens — all this is gained by means of this.
Human prosperity, whatever delight there is in the heavenly world,
and the attainment of Nibbāna — all this is gained by means of this.
For one who, relying upon the accomplishment of friendship, applies himself wisely,
mastery of true knowledge (vijjā) and deliverance — all this is gained by means of this.
The analytic insights (paṭisambhidā), the liberations (vimokkha), the perfection of a disciple (sāvakapāramī),
solitary enlightenment (paccekabodhi), and the plane of Buddhahood (buddhabhūmi) — all this is gained by means of this.
Of such great benefit is this — namely, the accomplishment of merit;
therefore the steadfast, the wise, praise the state of having made merit.
¹ Ma. reads "susaṇṭhānā."
The Nidhikaṇḍa (Chapter on the Treasure) is finished.
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The Karaṇīyametta Sutta in the Khuddakapāṭha
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.