Aṅguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
I: Mettā Vagga

VIII. The Book of the Eights

I. On Amity

Sutta 3

Paṭhama Piya Suttaṃ

Qualities not Endearing (a)

[155] [106]

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, a monk possessed of eight qualities
is neither dear,
nor pleasing to,
nor honoured,
by his fellows in the godly life,
nor what he ought to become.¹

What eight?

Herein a monk praises those who are not dear;
he blames those who are dear;
he longs for possessions;
he longs for honour;
he is not conscientious;
he is without fear of blame;
he has evil intentions;
and he holds wrong views.

Monks, possessed of these eight qualities
a monk is neither dear,
nor pleasing to,
nor honoured by his fellows in the godly life,
nor what he ought to become.

²'Monks, a monk possessed of eight qualities
is dear,
pleasing to,
honoured,
by his fellows in the godly life,
and is what he ought to become.

What eight?

Herein a monk praises those who are dear;
he blames those who are not dear;
he does not long for possessions;
he does not long for honour;
he is conscientious;
he has fear of blame;
he does not have intentions;
and he holds right views.

Monks, possessed of these eight qualities
a monk is dear,
pleasing to,
honoured by his fellows in the godly life,
and is what he ought to become.

¹ Bhāvanīyo. Cf. p. 1.