Aṅguttara Nikāya
IV. Catukka Nipāta
I. Bhaṇḍagāma Vagga

IV. The Book of the Fours

I: At Bhaṇḍagāma

Sutta 7

Appasasuta Suttaṃ

Illuminates¹ (the Order)

 

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[8] [8]

Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

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

"Monks, these four
who are accomplished in wisdom,
disciplined,
confident,²
deeply learned,
Dhamma-bearers,
who live according to Dhamma, -
these four illuminate the Order.

Which four?

A monk who is accomplished in wisdom,
disciplined,
confident,
deeply learned,
Dhamma-bearers,
who live according to Dhamma,
illuminates the Order;

A nun who is accomplished in wisdom,
disciplined,
confident,
deeply learned,
Dhamma-bearers,
who live according to Dhamma,
illuminates the Order;

A male lay-disciples who is accomplished in wisdom,
disciplined,
confident,
deeply learned,
Dhamma-bearers,
who live according to Dhamma,
illuminates the Order;

A female lay-disciple who is accomplished in wisdom,
disciplined,
confident,
deeply learned,
Dhamma-bearers,
who live according to Dhamma,
illuminates the Order.

These are the four who, being accomplished in wisdom,
disciplined,
confident,
deeply learned,
Dhamma-bearers,
who live according to Dhamma,
illuminate the Order.

[9] Whoso is wise and confident.
Of learning deep, a Dhamma-bearer,
And lives accordantly therewith, -
"Light of the Order" such is called.

The virtuous monk, the learned nun,
The layman and laywoman staunch,
These four illuminate the Order.
"Lights of the Order" they are called.'³

 

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¹ Sobhati is the uddana-title; cf. Dial. ii, 114; S. iv, 375. Comy. pañña-veyyattiyena (accomplished) samannāgato.

² Visārado.

³ Cf. text, § 211 for those four who defile the company.