Aṅguttara Nikāya
VIII. Aṭṭhaka Nipāta
II: Mahā Vagga

The Book of the Eights

II. The Great Chapter

Sutta 16

Dūteyya Suttaṃ

Messages

[196] [134]

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 endowed with eight qualities is worthy to go with a message.

With what eight?

Herein, a monk is both a listener
and one who makes others [135] listen;
both a learner and an instructor;
both a knower and an expounder;
one skilled in (recognizing) non-conformity from conformity¹
and not given to quarrelling.

Monks, endowed with these eight qualities,
he is worthy to go with a message.

Monks, Sāriputta is² endowed with eight qualities,
is worthy to go with a message.

With what eight?

Herein, a Sāriputta is both a listener and one who makes others listen;
both a learner and an instructor;
both a knower and an expounder;
one skilled in (recognizing) non-conformity from conformity
and not given to quarrelling.

Monks, endowed with these eight qualities,
Sāriputta is worthy to go with a message.

Who, to some high³ assembled council come,
Wavers not,⁴ nor in discourse fails, nor hides
The Master's word, nor speaks in doubtfulness,⁵
Whoso by question ne'er is moved to wrath -
Worthy to go with message is that monk.'

¹ Sahit-ā-sahita; cf. D. i, 8; A. ii, 138; Dial. i, 14 n.6. Comy. Knowing: This is conformity, this is non-conformity. Some of these terms recur at D. i, 56. Cf. S.B.E. xxi, 352 f. for what may be the Mahayana version of this sutta.

² The text repeats in full. [Ed.: Reconstructed for this edition.]

³ S.e. with Vin. and v.l. (and as the metre requires?) reads ugga-.

⁴ The text reads byaāhati. Comy. vedhati, glossing jambhati.