A Good and Bad Field

Monks, a seed sown in a field that possesses eight factors does not bring forth abundant fruits, its [fruits] are not delicious, and it does not yield a profit.

What eight factors?

Here, (1) the field has mounds and ditches; (2) it contains stones and gravel; (3) it is salty; (4) it is not deeply furrowed; (5) it does not have inlets [for the water to enter]; (6) it does not have outlets [for excess water to flow out]; (7) it does not have irrigation channels; and (8) it does not have boundaries.

A seed sown in a field that possesses these eight factors does not bring forth abundant fruits, its [fruits] are not delicious, and it does not yield a profit.

So too, Monks, a gift given to Ascetics and Brāhmins who possess eight factors is not of great fruit and benefit, and it is not very brilliant or widespread.

What eight factors?

Here, the Ascetics and Brāhmins are of wrong view, wrong intention, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong concentration. A gift given to Ascetics and Brāhmins who possess these eight factors is not of great fruit and benefit, and it is not very brilliant or widespread.

Monks, a seed sown in a field that possesses eight factors brings forth abundant fruits, its [fruits] are delicious, and it yields a profit.

What eight factors?

Here, (1) the field does not have mounds and ditches; (2) it does not contain stones and gravel; (3) it is not salty; (4) it is deeply furrowed; (5) it has inlets [for the water to enter]; (6) it has outlets for excess [water to flow out]; (7) it has irrigation channels; and (8) it has boundaries.

A seed sown in a field that possesses these eight factors brings forth abundant fruits, its [fruits] are delicious, and it yields a profit.

So too, Monks, a gift given to Ascetics and Brāhmins who possess eight factors is of great fruit and benefit, and it is extraordinarily brilliant and widespread.

What eight factors?

Here, the Ascetics and Brāhmins are of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

A gift given to Ascetics and Brāhmins who possess these eight factors is of great fruit and benefit, and it is extraordinarily brilliant and widespread.

(Reference: AN 8.34)

During Gotama Buddha’s lifetime, many of his Students were very familiar with farming so we see many analogies he shares in The Teachings that can relate to a common person during that time in history. Not only does he use stories from the farming life but also training a horse and various stories related to animal life.

These are relatable references that his Students would easily understand and help them in learning and retaining The Teachings, so they could apply The Teachings in their daily life.

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that giving a gift to Ascetics and Brāhmins who are practicing wrong view, wrong intention, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong concentration would not lead to beneficial results. Just like a field possessing eight factors would not produce great fruit and benefit, gifts given to those who possess these eight qualities would not produce great fruit and benefit.

Then, The Buddha provides guidance of how by giving offerings and gifts to Ascetics and Brāhmins who are practicing Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration, this provides great fruit and benefit. Just like a field possessing eight factors would produce great fruit and benefit, gifts given to those who possess these eight qualities would produce great fruit and benefit.