Aṅguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
XII: Kesi Vagga
The Book of the Fours
Chapter XII: Kesi
Sutta 112
Assājānīya-java Suttaṃ
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[118]
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, possessed of four qualities
a rajah's goodly thoroughbred steed
is worthy of a rajah,
and is reckoned an attribute of a rajah.
What are the four qualities?
Straightness,2
speed,
patience
and docility.
Possessed of these four qualities
a rajah's goodly thoroughbred steed
is worthy of a rajah,
and is reckoned an attribute of a rajah.
In like manner, monks,
possessed of four qualities
a monk is worshipful,
worthy of gifts and offerings,
of salutations with clasped hands,
a field of merit unsurpassed for the world.
What four?
Straightness,
speed,
patience
and docility.
Possessed of these four qualities
a monk is worshipful,
worthy of gifts and offerings,
of salutations with clasped hands,
a field of merit unsurpassed for the world."
1 cf. A. iii, 94.
2 Ajjava = uju-bhāva. Comy.