AN 4 The Book of the Fours – Catukkanipāta > AN 4.259 A Thoroughbred (1st)

Numbered Discourses 4.259 – Aṅguttara Nikāya 4.259

26. Insight – 26. Abhiññāvagga

AN 4.259 A Thoroughbred (1st) – Paṭhamaājānīyasutta

1.1

“Bhikkhū, a fine royal thoroughbred with four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and considered a factor of kingship.

“Catūhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅganteva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

1.2

What four?

Katamehi catūhi?

1.3

It’s when a fine royal thoroughbred is beautiful, strong, fast, and well-proportioned.

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño bhadro assājānīyo vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti balasampanno ca javasampanno ca ārohapariṇāhasampanno ca.

1.4

A fine royal thoroughbred with these four factors is worthy of a king. …

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅganteva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

2.1

In the same way, a bhikkhu with four qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

2.2

What four?

Katamehi catūhi?

2.3

It’s when a bhikkhu is beautiful, strong, fast, and well proportioned.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti balasampanno ca javasampanno ca ārohapariṇāhasampanno ca.

3.1

And how is a bhikkhu beautiful?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno hoti?

3.2

It’s when a bhikkhu is ethical, restrained in the code of conduct, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti …pe… samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu.

3.3

That’s how a bhikkhu is beautiful.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇṇasampanno hoti.

4.1

And how is a bhikkhu strong?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu balasampanno hoti?

4.2

It’s when a bhikkhu lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They are strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āraddhavīriyo viharati akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upasampadāya, thāmavā daḷhaparakkamo anikkhittadhuro kusalesu dhammesu.

4.3

That’s how a bhikkhu is strong.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu balasampanno hoti.

5.1

And how is a bhikkhu fast?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu javasampanno hoti?

5.2

It’s when they truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti.

5.3

That’s how a bhikkhu is fast.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu javasampanno hoti.

6.1

And how is a bhikkhu well proportioned?

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ārohapariṇāhasampanno hoti?

6.2

It’s when a bhikkhu receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu lābhī hoti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ.

6.3

That’s how a bhikkhu is well proportioned.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ārohapariṇāhasampanno hoti.

7.1

A bhikkhu with these four qualities … is the supreme field of merit for the world.”

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

7.2

Chaṭṭhaṁ.