Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
9. Thera Vagga

The Book of the Fives

IX. The Elder

Sutta 84

Assaddha Suttaṃ

Faith

[88]

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, if an elder monk be possessed of five qualities,
among his fellows in the godly life
he becomes neither dear
nor pleasant
nor respected
nor what he ought to become.

What five?

He is without faith,
modesty,
fear of blame,
is lazy
and lacks insight.¹

Monks, if he be possessed of these five qualities,
among his fellows in the godly life
he becomes neither dear
nor pleasant
nor respected
nor what he ought to become.

"Monks, if an elder monk be possessed of five qualities,
among his fellows in the godly life
he becomes dear
pleasant
respected
and what he ought to become.

What five?

He has faith,
modesty,
fear of blame,
is not lazy
and possesses insight.

Monks, if he be possessed of these five qualities,
among his fellows in the godly life
he becomes dear
pleasant
respected
and what he ought to become.