Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
II: Bala Vagga

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
II: The Powers

Sutta 17

Attahita Suttaṁ

For Whose Good? (a)

Translated by E. M. Hare

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[12] [9]

[1][bodh] 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, 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.'

 

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^[1] Comy. the fruit of arahantship.

^[2] Comy. review (paccavekkhana) as in a mirror; cf. M. i, 415; UdA. 233.