Before becoming the Buddha, the Buddha-to-be explained the Advantages of Friendship (mitta-nisamsa) in ten stanzas:
- One who maintains genuine friendship, avoiding treachery by never betraying anyone, will whenever going far from home receive an abundance of hospitality. Many will obtain their benefit through this person.
- One who nurtures genuine friendship will be honored in whatever country, village, town, house, group, or family one visits.
- One who perpetuates genuine friendship will triumph over all adversaries. Robbers cannot overpower one; royalty will not look down upon one.
- One who continues genuine friendship returns home with feelings of amity, rejoices in the crowds of people, and becomes the chief among one's own kinsmen.
- One who keeps up genuine friendship, being hospitable to others, in turn, receives hospitality. Being respectful to others, in turn, receives respect and enjoys both praise and fame.
- One who sustains genuine friendship, a generous giver, receives gifts. Venerating the worthy, will be venerated gaining prosperity and fame.
- One who upholds genuine friendship shines brightly like fire, radiant like a deity. Prosperity and good fortune will never forsake such a person.
- One who prolongs genuine friendship will enjoy abundant wealth. What is sown in one's field will flourish. The fruit of that which is sown is enjoyed.
- One who carries on genuine friendship, in falling from a precipice or mountain or tree will be protected and will not be seriously harmed.
- One who preserves genuine friendship cannot be overthrown by enemies even as the deep-rooted Banyan tree cannot be overthrown by a gust of wind.
More on Friendship (mettā)
Avoiding fools, associating with the wise (Bhikkhu Bodhi) - Friendship is the supreme way of life! (WQ) - The Buddha on Noble Friendship - Selfless Friendship is Sweetest - All Embracing Kindness - Metta (Loving-kindness) - Blazing Friendliness - United in Harmony - Friendliness Frees - The Good Friend - Good Friendship - Kalyanamitta
FRIENDSHIP
Rebirth Stories (Jataka Tale 538)
Sacred-texts.com (trans. by E.B. Cowell and W.H.D. Rouse, 1907)
He who is faithful to his friends may wander far and wide,
—Many will gladly wait on him, his food shall be supplied.
Whatever lands he wanders through, in city or in town,
He who is faithful to his friends finds honor and renown.
No robbers dare to injure him, no warriors him despise;
He who is faithful to his friends escapes all enemies.
Welcomed by all he home returns,—no cares corrode his breast,
He who is faithful to his friends is of all kin the best.
He honors and is honored too,—respect he takes and gives;
He who is faithful to his friends full meed from all receives.
He is by others honored who to them due honor pays,
He who is faithful to his friends wins himself fame and praise.
Like fire he blazes brightly forth, and sheds a light divine,
He who is faithful to his friends will with fresh splendor shine.
His oxen surely multiply, his seed unfailing grows,
He who is faithful to his friends reaps surely all he sows.
If from a mountain-top he falls or from a tree or grot,
He who is faithful to his friends finds a sure resting spot.
The banyan tree defies the wind, girt with its branches rooted round,
—He who is faithful to his friends doth all the rage of foes confound."
