198. When the Tathagata or the Tathagata’s disciples live in the world, it is done for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world -for the good, the welfare and the happiness of gods and men. And what is a Tathagata? Concerning this, a Tathagata arises in the world, a Noble One, fully enlightened Buddha, of perfect knowledge and conduct, happily attained, a knower of the worlds, a guide unsurpassed of men to be trained, a teacher of gods and men, a Buddha, the Lord.
And what is a Tathagata’s disciple? He is one who teaches Dhamma that is lovely at the beginning, lovely in the middle and lovely at the end, both in the letter and in the spirit. He makes plain the holy life, entirely complete and purified. This is the Tathagata and the Tathagata’s disciple, and when they live in the world, it is done for the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, the welfare, the happiness of gods and men.
Anguttara Nikaya II.146
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