Aṅguttara-Nikāya
III. Tika Nipāto
III. Puggala Vagga
Sutta 26
Sevitabba Suttaɱ
Should Be Associated
Translated from the Pali by
Sister Upalavana
At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthi.
Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.
What three?
Bhikkhus, there is a person that should not be associated, there is one that should be associated and there is another that should be honoured and revered and associated.
Bhikkhus, who is the person that should not be associated?
Bhikkhus, a certain person is below par in virtues, concentration and wisdom.
Such should not be associated unless out of sympathy and compassion.
Bhikkhus, who is the person that should be associated?
Bhikkhus, a certain person is par in virtues, concentration and wisdom.
Such should be associated.
What is the reason?
Those par in virtues converse on virtues, those par in concentration converse on concentration and those par in wisdom converse on wisdom.
For them it becomes a pleasant abiding, therefore they should be associated.
Bhikkhus, who is the person that should be honoured, revered and associated?
Bhikkhus, a certain person is much above in virtues, concentration and wisdom.
Such should be honoured, revered and associated. What is the reason?
I will complete virtues not yet completed, will be satisfied seeing my completed virtues, then and there.
I will complete my wisdom not yet completed and I will wisely see whether it is complete.
Therefore, bhikkhus, such persons should be honoured, revered and associated.
Bhikkhus, these three persons are evident in the world.
Associating someone low is deterioration.
Associating an equal there's no deterioration.
Therefore bend down to a superior.
It is quick growth.
