AN4.28 — The Noble Heritages
Disciples, these four are the noble heritages that are of great antiquity, ancient, unadulterated, and have remained unchanged, neither degenerated nor will they be, and unblemished by recluses, brahmins, or the wise.
What are the four?
Here, disciples, a disciple is content with any kind of robe and praises contentment with whatever robe is available. He does not engage in improper seeking for robes. If he doesnt get a robe, he is not troubled; if he obtains a robe, he is not attached, not entranced, not committed, seeing the danger and understanding the escape, he uses it. Moreover, by this contentment with any kind of robe, he neither elevates himself nor disparages others.
He who is skilled, not lazy, mindful, and aware is said to be one who stands in the ancient and noble heritage.
Again, disciples, a disciple is content with any kind of alms-food and praises contentment with whatever alms-food is available. He does not engage in improper seeking for alms-food. If he doesnt get any, he is not troubled; if he obtains alms-food, he is not attached, not entranced, not committed, seeing the danger and understanding the escape, he uses it. Moreover, by this contentment with any kind of alms-food, he neither elevates himself nor disparages others.
He who is skilled, not lazy, mindful, and aware is said to be one who stands in the ancient and noble heritage.
Again, disciples, a disciple is content with any kind of lodging and praises contentment with whatever lodging is available. He does not engage in improper seeking for lodging. If he doesnt get lodging, he is not troubled; if he obtains lodging, he is not attached, not entranced, not committed, seeing the danger and understanding the escape, he uses it. Moreover, by this contentment with any kind of lodging, he neither elevates himself nor disparages others.
He who is skilled, not lazy, mindful, and aware is said to be one who stands in the ancient and noble heritage.
Again, disciples, a disciple who is fond of and devoted to mental development, and who is fond of and devoted to abandonment. Moreover, by this fondness and devotion to mental development and abandonment, he neither elevates himself nor disparages others.
He who is skilled, not lazy, with clear knowing and mindfulness—this one, disciples, is called a disciple established in the ancient lineage of noble ones.
These four noble lineages, disciples, are ancient, genuine, unadulterated from the past, unblemished and will not be blemished, not criticized by recluses, brahmins, or wise ones.
Disciples, a disciple endowed with these four noble lineages, whether he lives to the eastern direction, is able to endure dissatisfaction there, dissatisfaction does not endure him.
Whether he lives to the western direction, is able to endure dissatisfaction there, dissatisfaction does not endure him.
Whether he lives to the northern direction, is able to endure dissatisfaction there, dissatisfaction does not endure him.
Whether he lives to the southern direction, is able to endure dissatisfaction there, dissatisfaction does not endure him.
Why is that?
Because the wise one, disciples, endures dissatisfaction.
Dissatisfaction does not endure the wise one,
nor does dissatisfaction overcome the wise one.
The wise one endures dissatisfaction,
for the wise one, indeed, endures dissatisfaction.
Who can obstruct those who give up all actions,
who have got rid of obstacles?
Like a golden ornament,
who can rightly criticize them?
Even the gods praise them,
and they are praised by Brahmā.