Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
VI: Nīvaraṇa Vagga

The Book of the Fives

VI: The Hindrances

Sutta 59

Paṭhama Vuḍḍha-Pabbajita Suttaṃ

Hard to Find (a)¹

 

---

[78] [64]

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, it is hard to find one,
gone forth when old,²
endowed with five qualities.

What five?

[65] Monks, it is hard to find one who is subtle-minded
gone forth when old,
hard to find one who is proper in deportment,
hard to find one who is very learned,
hard to find one who is a preacher of Dhamma,
hard to find one who has the Discipline by heart.

Monks, it is hard to find one,
gone forth when old,
endowed with these five qualities.'

 

---

¹ Dullabho, lit. hard to obtain.

² Cf. Harita's trouble at Brethr. 34.