Aṇguttara-Nikāya
III. Tika Nipāta
V. Cūḷa Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
or
More-Numbered Suttas
III. The Book of the Threes
V. The Minor Section
Sutta 42
Tiṭhāna Suttaṃ
Characteristics
Translated from the Pali by
F.L. Woodward, M.A.
Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved
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[1][bodh][than] Thus have I heard:
On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.
Then he addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
"Yes, Lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.
The Exalted One said this:
"Monks, a believer is to be recognized by three characteristics.
What three?
He desires to see the virtuous;
he desires to hear Saddhamma;
with heart free from the taint of stinginess
he dwells at home,
a generous giver,
clean handed,
delighting in giving up,
one to ask a favour of,
one who delights to share gifts [134] with others.[1]
By these three characteristics a believer is to be recognized as such."
Let him desire to see the virtuous,
Let him desire to hear Saddhamma preached,
Let him remove[2] the taint of stinginess,
If he would be by men "believer" called.
[1] Cf. S. i, 228 (K.S. i, 294).
[2] Taking vineyya as optative, not gerund.
