Fragrance of Wholesome People Spreads Against the Wind

Here, Ānanda, in whatever village or town, a man or a woman has gone for refuge to The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community; he or she is virtuous (practicing moral conduct) and of wholesome character, abstaining from the destruction of life, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech, and liquor, wine, and intoxicants (substances that cause heedlessness), the basis for heedlessness; and he or she resides at home with a mind free of the stain of selfishness, freely generous, openhanded, joyful in letting go, devoted to charity, joyful in giving and sharing - in such a case, Ascetics and Brāhmins in [all] quarters speak praise, saying:

In such and such a village or town a man or a woman has gone for refuge to The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community; he or she is virtuous (practicing moral conduct) and of wholesome character, abstaining from the destruction of life, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech, and liquor, wine, and intoxicants (substances that cause heedlessness), the basis for heedlessness; and he or she resides at home with a mind free of the stain of selfishness, freely generous, openhanded, joyful in letting go, devoted to charity, joyful in giving and sharing.

The heavenly beings and the spirits, too, speak praise, saying: In such and such a village or town a man or a woman has gone for refuge to The Buddha, The Teachings, and The Community; he or she is virtuous (practicing moral conduct) and of wholesome character, abstaining from the destruction of life, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, false speech, and liquor, wine, and intoxicants (substances that cause heedlessness), the basis for heedlessness; and he or she resides at home with a mind free of the stain of selfishness, freely generous, openhanded, joyful in letting go, devoted to charity, joyful in giving and sharing.

This, Ānanda, is the fragrance that spreads with the wind, against the wind, and both with and against the wind.

The fragrance of flowers does not spread against the wind, nor the fragrance of sandal, tagara, or jasmine.

But the fragrance of wholesome people spreads against the wind: the wholesome person’s fragrance fills all quarters.

(Reference: AN 3.79)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares guidance helping Students to understand that when one conducts themselves in wholesome ways, their good wholesome reputation spreads. One’s wholesome reputation will precede them and carries forward.

An individual who has a wholesome reputation in The Community will find that personal and professional opportunities open up as one finds it easy to interact with others for beneficial outcomes.