The Book of the Sixes

Chapter VIII: Arahantship

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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, if a monk be possessed of six things,
he cannot become¹ one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.

What six?

Herein a monk
is without faith,
modesty
or fear of blame,
is indolent,
lacks insight
and hankers after action² and life.

Monks, if a monk be possessed of these six,
he cannot become one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.'

But, monks, if a monk be possessed of six things,
he can become one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.

What six?

Herein a monk
has faith,
modesty
and fear of blame,
is not indolent,
has insight
and hankers not after action and life.

Monks, if a monk be possessed of these six,
he can become one
to realize the chief thing,
arahantship.'

¹ Abhabbo. See above, p. 299, n. 3.

² Or 'body' (kāye).