Aṅguttara Nikāya
Chakka-Nipāta
II: Sārāṇīya-Vagga

The Book of the Sixes

Chapter II: Be Considerate

Sutta 11

Paṭhama Sārāṇīya Suttaṃ

On Being Considerate (a)

[208]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī,
at Jeta Grove,
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are six ways of being considerate.¹

What six?

Herein, monks, a monk's part is amity in deed
towards his fellows in the godly life,²
openly and in private;
verily, this is a way of being considerate.

■

Again, his part is amity in word,
towards his fellows in the godly life,
openly and in private;
verily, this also is a way of being considerate.

■

Then, those proper gains,
gotten according to rule -
be they but bowl-scraps -
he loves to share them impartially,³
to have them in common
with his virtuous fellows in the godly life;
this also is a way of being considerate.

■

And those virtues that are unbroken,
without flaw,
spotless,
without blemish,
bringing freedom,
praised by wise men,
incorruptible,
leading to concentration -
he dwells one in virtue with them
among his fellows in the godly life,
openly and in private;
this also is a way of being considerate.

■

And that Ariyan view,
saving,
leading him who acts accordantly
to the utter destruction of Ill -
he dwells one in view with that
among his fellows in the godly life,
openly and in private;
this also is a way of being considerate.

Verily, monks, these are the six ways of being considerate.'

¹ Sārāṇīyā, lit. 'that ought to be remembered.' Comy. sāritabba-yuttakā, as at J. iv, 99; see D. ii, 80; iii, 245; M. i, 322.

² Brahma-cārīsu.