Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
II: Bala Vagga

The Book of the Fives

II: The Powers

Sutta 17

Attahita Suttaṃ

For Whose Good? (a)

[12] [9]

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 release¹ is perfected,
but he does not strive that another's should be;
his own vision² 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.'

¹ Comy. the fruit of arahantship.