The Chief Thing

Translated from the Pali by E.M. Hare.

[1] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied,
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, if a monk be possessed of six things,
he cannot become^[1] one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.

What six?

Herein a monk
is without faith,
modesty
or fear of blame,
is indolent,
lacks insight
and hankers after action^[2] and life.

Monks, if a monk be possessed of these six,
he cannot become one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.'

But, monks, if a monk be possessed of six things,
he can become one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.

What six?

Herein a monk
has faith,
modesty
and fear of blame,
is not indolent,
has insight
and hankers not after action and life.

Monks, if a monk be possessed of these six,
he can become one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.'

^[2] Or 'body' (kāye).