Numbered Discourses 4.176

1. Intention

Aspiration

“Mendicants, a faithful monk would rightly aspire:

‘May I be like Sāriputta and Moggallāna!’

These are a standard and a measure for my monk disciples, that is, Sāriputta and Moggallāna.

A faithful nun would rightly aspire:

‘May I be like the nuns Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā!’

These are a standard and a measure for my nun disciples, that is, the nuns Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā.

A faithful layman would rightly aspire:

‘May I be like the householder Citta and Hatthaka of Āḷavī!’

These are a standard and a measure for my male lay disciples, that is, the householder Citta and Hatthaka of Āḷavī.

A faithful laywoman would rightly aspire:

‘May I be like the laywomen Khujjuttarā and Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother!’

These are a standard and a measure for my female lay disciples, that is, the laywomen Khujjuttarā and Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother.”