Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
9. Thera Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
IX. The Elder
Sutta 86
Paṭisambidā-Patta Suttaṃ
Analysis
Translated by E. M. Hare
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[1] THUS have I heard:
Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, possessed of five qualities,
among his fellows in the godly life
an elder becomes dear and pleasant,
respected and what he ought to become.
He is a master of logical analysis;
a master in analyzing causal relations;
a master of grammatical analysis;
a master in analyzing things knowable;[1]
what things have to be done by his fellow-men,
living the godly life,
either great or small,
therein he is able and active,
alive to investigating such matters;
ready to do and get them done.[2]
Monks, possessed of these five qualities,
among his fellows in the godly life
an elder becomes dear and pleasant,
respected and what he ought to become.
[1] See discussion on these terms at Pts. of Contr. 377 ff. On these terms our Comy. observes: pañcasu atthesu pabhedagatañāṇaṃ patto; catubbhidhe dhamme ...; dhamma-niruttisu ...; tesu tīṇi ñāṇesu ...