Reasons Why a Business Surpasses Forecast or Fails

‘Venerable Sir, (1) why is it that for one person here, the business he undertakes ends in failure? (2) Why is it that for another the same kind of business does not fulfill his forecast? (3) Why is it that for still another the same kind of business fulfills his forecast? (4) And why is it that for still another the same kind of business surpasses his forecast?’

(1) Here, Sāriputta, someone approaches an Ascetic or a Brāhmin and invites him to ask for what he needs, but does not give him what was requested. When he passes away from there, if he comes back to this world, whatever business he undertakes ends in failure.

(2) Someone else approaches an Ascetic or a Brāhmin and invites him to ask for what he needs. He gives it to him but does not fulfill his needs. When he passes away from there, if he comes back to this world, whatever business he undertakes does not fulfill his forecast.

(3) Someone else approaches an Ascetic or a Brāhmin and invites him to ask for what he needs. He gives it to him and fulfills his needs. When he passes away from there, if he comes back to this world, whatever business he undertakes fulfills his forecast.

(4) Someone else approaches an Ascetic or a Brāhmin and invites him to ask for what he needs. He gives it to him and surpasses his needs. When he passes away from there, if he comes back to this world, whatever business he undertakes surpasses his forecast.

This, Sāriputta, is the reason why for one person here the business he undertakes ends in failure, for another the same kind of business does not fulfill his forecast, for still another the same kind of business fulfills his forecast, and for still another the same kind of business surpasses his forecast.

(Reference: AN 4.79)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how business can either be a failure or success based on one’s actions and practice of generosity.

1.) A Practitioner asks an Ascetic or a Brāhmin to share what they need for support to sustain their life yet does not provide those requested items. The Buddha shares that if this person is reborn back into the human realm, their business “ends in failure”.

2.) A Practitioner asks an Ascetic or a Brāhmin to share what they need for support to sustain their life and gives it to them but does fully provide what is needed. The Practitioner only partially fulfills the need. The Buddha shares that if this person is reborn back into the human realm, their business “does not fulfill his forecast”.

3.) A Practitioner asks an Ascetic or a Brāhmin to share what they need for support to sustain their life and gives it to them fully providing what is needed. The Buddha shares that if this person is reborn back into the human realm, their business “fulfills his forecast”.

4.) A Practitioner asks an Ascetic or a Brāhmin to share what they need for support to sustain their life and gives it to them surpassing what is needed. The Buddha shares that if this person is reborn back into the human realm, their business “surpasses his forecast”.