The Book of the Fives

Chapter XXIV: In Residence

[192]

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 a monk in residence
follow the course of five things,
he becomes not what he ought to become.¹

What five?

He becomes accomplished neither in manner
nor in service;²

■

becomes neither one who has heard much
nor one who bears much in mind;

■

nor a marker of his ways³
nor fond of solitude;

■

his words are not lovely
nor lovely is their making;

■

he becomes a dullard and witless.

Verily, monks, if a monk in residence
follow the course of these five things,
he becomes not what he ought to become.

"Monks, if a monk in residence
follow the course of five things,
he becomes what he ought to become.

What five?

He becomes accomplished in manner
and in service;

■

becomes one who has heard much
and one who bears much in mind;

■

a marker of his ways
and fond of solitude;

■

his words are lovely
and lovely is their making;

■

he becomes insightful and witty.

Verily, monks, if a monk in residence
follow the course of these five things,
he becomes what he ought to become.

¹ A-bhāvanīyo koti. Comy. on the positive: vaḍḍhanīyo hoti.

² Ākappa- and vatta-.

³ Paṭisallekhitar; Cf. above, § 181; P.E.D. omits.