Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
II: Bala Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
II: The Powers
Sutta 17
Attahita Suttaṃ
For Whose Good? (a)
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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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, possessed of five things
a monk is set on his own good,
but not the good of another.
Of what five?
Herein, monks, a monk is perfect in virtue himself,
but does not strive to perfect virtue in another;
he is perfect in concentration himself,
but does not strive to perfect concentration in another;
his own release[1] is perfected,
but he does not strive that another's should be;
his own vision[2] and knowledge of release are perfected,
but he does not strive that another's should be.
Monks, possessed of these five things
a monk is set on his own good,
but not the good of another.'
[1] Comy. the fruit of arahantship.
[2] Comy. review (paccavekkhana) as in a mirror; cf. M. i, 415; UdA. 233.
