Numbered Discourses 4.176

18. 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.”