Date: 06/14/2025 06/15/2025
Location: Star River Meditation Center
Teacher: Yunquan Huang
Dharma Talk
The Householder Hasta, Skilled in Leadership and Harmonization
Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Blessed One was traveling through the country of Aroviṅgala and stayed at the monastery of Ākālava.
Now at that time, there was a wealthy nobleman in that land named Hasta—meaning “Hand”—who was widely known as the Householder Hasta. One day, accompanied by five hundred fellow noblemen, he came to visit the Blessed One. Having approached, they paid homage to the Blessed One, bowed at his feet, and sat respectfully to one side.
The Blessed One then addressed the householder:
“Householder Hasta, how great is the multitude that follows you! By what means do you gather and harmonize them?”
The householder replied:
“World-Honored One, I do so by practicing the Four Means of Unification (saṅgahavatthu) as taught by the Blessed One.
When a person inclines toward generosity, I win them over through giving.
When one is drawn to kind speech, I win them over with kind and truthful words.
When one esteems mutual benefit, I share with them in both material and virtuous gain.
When one delights in cooperative action, I join in their endeavors.
World-Honored One, it is through these means that, though I am wealthier than many, I maintain closeness and harmony with them. None harbor ill will toward me, nor do they wish for my downfall.”
The Blessed One said:
“Excellent, Householder! Truly excellent. These are indeed the essential methods for winning the hearts of the people.
In the past, future, or present, all those who succeed in unifying and leading others employ these very Four Means of Unification.”
After these words of praise, the Blessed One expounded the Dharma for the gathered assembly—guiding, inspiring, uplifting, and encouraging them toward the path of liberation. When the discourse was concluded, Householder Hasta led his companions to respectfully take leave of the Blessed One.
Not long after his departure, the Blessed One praised the householder in the presence of the monks:
“Monks, the Householder Hasta possesses seven rare qualities:
He has perfected faith (śraddhā),
discipline (śīla),
a sense of shame (hrī),
a sense of moral fear (apatrāpya),
wide learning (bahuśruta),
generosity (tyāga),
and wisdom (prajñā).”
Later, on another day, a monk came to the home of Householder Hasta on alms round. While receiving food, the monk recounted the Blessed One’s previous words of praise in their entirety.
Hearing this, the householder anxiously inquired:
“Venerable Sir, when the Blessed One spoke these words, were there any laypeople present?”
The monk replied:
“Good friend, at that time there were no laypeople present.”
The householder then said:
“That is good, Venerable One.”
The monk, puzzled, asked:
“Good friend, what difference would it make if there were laypeople present?”
The householder replied:
“Venerable Sir, if laypeople had been present and harbored doubt or jealousy toward the Blessed One’s words, they would have felt discomfort in their hearts.
If, on the other hand, they had accepted the praise, they might become overly reverent or submissive toward me.
In either case, it would not be something I find pleasing. That is why I asked.
Venerable Sir, please honor me by staying today and accepting my humble offering of food.”
The monk accepted the meal, and in accordance with custom, delivered a Dharma talk to the householder—encouraging and guiding him along the path of virtue—and then returned to the monastery.
Upon his return, the monk reported the encounter to the Blessed One. The Blessed One, upon hearing it, gave his praise:
“Excellent, monk! That noble lay disciple is content with little, and though he possesses virtues, he does not wish them to be known.
For this reason, I now declare that Householder Hasta possesses an **eighth rare quality**—namely, contentment with few desires (alpecchatā).”
