This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“These three kinds of children are found in the world. “Tayome, bhikkhave, puttā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. What three? Katame tayo? One who betters their birth, one who equals their birth, one who fails their birth. Atijāto, anujāto, avajātoti.

And how does a child better their birth? Kathañca, bhikkhave, putto atijāto hoti? It’s when a child’s parents Idha, bhikkhave, puttassa mātāpitaro honti—have not gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. na buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, na dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, na saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā; They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re immoral, of bad character. pāṇātipātā appaṭiviratā, adinnādānā appaṭiviratā, kāmesumicchācārā appaṭiviratā, musāvādā appaṭiviratā, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā appaṭiviratā, dussīlā pāpadhammā. But their child Putto ca nesaṁ hoti—has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato; They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. pāṇātipātā paṭivirato, adinnādānā paṭivirato, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato, musāvādā paṭivirato, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo. That’s how a child betters their birth. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, putto atijāto hoti.

And how does a child equal their birth? Kathañca, bhikkhave, putto anujāto hoti? It’s when a child’s parents Idha, bhikkhave, puttassa mātāpitaro honti—have gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā; They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā, adinnādānā paṭiviratā, kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā, musāvādā paṭiviratā, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā, sīlavanto kalyāṇadhammā. And their child Puttopi nesaṁ hoti—has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato; They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. pāṇātipātā paṭivirato, adinnādānā paṭivirato, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato, musāvādā paṭivirato, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo. That’s how a child equals their birth. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, putto anujāto hoti.

And how does a child fail their birth? Kathañca, bhikkhave, putto avajāto hoti? It’s when a child’s parents Idha, bhikkhave, puttassa mātāpitaro honti—have gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā, saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gatā; They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re ethical, of good character. pāṇātipātā paṭiviratā, adinnādānā paṭiviratā, kāmesumicchācārā paṭiviratā, musāvādā paṭiviratā, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭiviratā, sīlavanto kalyāṇadhammā. But their child Putto ca nesaṁ hoti—has not gone for refuge to the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. na buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, na dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gato, na saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gato; They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. They’re immoral, of bad character. pāṇātipātā appaṭivirato, adinnādānā appaṭivirato, kāmesumicchācārā appaṭivirato, musāvādā appaṭivirato, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā appaṭivirato, dussīlo pāpadhammo. That’s how a child fails their birth. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, putto avajāto hoti. These are the three kinds of children found in the world.” Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo puttā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmin”ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said: Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“The astute wish for a child “Atijātaṁ anujātaṁ, who betters or equals their birth; puttamicchanti paṇḍitā; not one who fails their birth, Avajātaṁ na icchanti, disgracing their family. yo hoti kulagandhano.

These are the children in the world Ete kho puttā lokasmiṁ, who become lay devotees; ye bhavanti upāsakā; faithful, accomplished in ethics, Saddhā sīlena sampannā, bountiful, rid of stinginess. vadaññū vītamaccharā; Like the moon freed from clouds, Cando abbhaghanā mutto, they shine in the assemblies.” parisāsu virocare”ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard. Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.