Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
XXI. Kimbila-Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter XXI: Kimbila
Sutta 203
Ājānīya Suttaɱ
The Thoroughbred[1]
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1] Thus have I heard:
Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, if a rajah's fine thoroughbred
have five points,
it is of worth to the rajah,
valuable to the rajah,
and is reckoned a rajah's asset.
What five?
Straightness,[2]
swiftness,
gentleness,[3]
patience
and restraint.
Verily, monks, if a rajah's thoroughbred
have these five points,
it is of worth to the rajah,
valuable to the rajah,
and is reckoned a rajah's asset.
§
Even so, monks, if a monk have five things,[4]
he is worthy of offerings,
worthy of gifts,
worthy of oblations,
meet to be reverently saluted,
the world's peerless field for merit.
What five?
[182] Straightness,[5]
swiftness.[6]
gentleness,
patience
and restraint.
Verily, monks, if a monk have these five things,
he is worthy of offerings,
worthy of gifts,
worthy of oblations,
meet to be reverently saluted,
the world's peerless field for merit.'
[1] Ajāniyo. This is a common simile; see J.P.T.S., 1906, p. 64.
[2] Ajjavena. Comy. uju-bhāvena, avaṅka-gamanena. Cf. DhS. trsl.
[3] Madduvena. Comy. sarīra-mudutāya (? 'tender hide').
[4] Cf. Sn. 292; J. iii, 274; D. iii, 213.
[5] Comy. Ñāṇassa ujuka-gamanaɱ.
[6] Comy. Sūrassa hutvā, ñāṇassa vahana-bhāvo.
