‘Venerable Sir, we are Householders enjoying sensual pleasures, living at home in a house full of children. We use sandalwood from Kāsi; we wear garlands, scents, and ointments; we receive gold and silver. Let The Perfectly Enlightened One teach us The Teachings in a way that will lead to our welfare and peacefulness in this present life and in future lives.’

There are, Byagghapajja, these four things that lead to the welfare and peacefulness of a Householder in this present life.

What four?

(1) Accomplishment in initiative,

(2) accomplishment in protection,

(3) wholesome friendship,

(4) and balanced living.

Accomplishment in Initiative

And what is accomplishment in initiative?

Here, whatever may be the means by which a Householder earns his living — whether by farming, trade, raising cattle, archery, government service, or some other craft — he is skillful and diligent; he possesses sound and wise decision making about it in order to carry out and arrange it properly.

This is called accomplishment in initiative.