an5.139:3 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure sounds? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders at the sound of a division of elephants, of cavalry, of chariots, or of infantry, or the thunder of the drums, kettledrums, horns, and cymbals. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure sounds.

an5.139:4 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure smells? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders when it smells the odor of the feces and urine of battle-hardened, pedigree royal bull elephants. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure smells.

an5.139:5 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure tastes? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders when it misses a meal of grass and water, or it misses two, three, four, or five meals. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure tastes.

an5.139:6 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can’t endure touches? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle falters and founders when struck by a swift arrow, or by two, three, four, or five swift arrows. It doesn’t stay firm, and fails to plunge into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can’t endure touches.

an5.139:7 A royal bull elephant with these five factors is not worthy of a king, not fit to serve a king, and is not reckoned a factor of kingship.

an5.139:8 In the same way, a mendicant with five qualities is not worthy of offerings made for God’s sake, not worthy of hospitality, not worthy of a religious donation, not worthy of respectful greeting, and is not the supreme field of merit for the world. What five? It’s when a mendicant can’t endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

an5.139:9 And how is it that a mendicant can’t endure sights? It’s when a mendicant, seeing a sight with their eyes, is aroused by a desirable sight, so is not able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can’t endure sights.

an5.139:10 And how is it that a mendicant can’t endure sounds? It’s when a mendicant, hearing a sound with their ears, is aroused by a desirable sound, so is not able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can’t endure sounds.

an5.139:11 And how is it that a mendicant can’t endure smells? It’s when a mendicant, smelling an odor with their nose, is aroused by a desirable smell, so is not able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can’t endure smells.

an5.139:12 And how is it that a mendicant can’t endure tastes? It’s when a mendicant, tasting a flavor with their tongue, is aroused by desirable tastes, so is not able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can’t endure tastes.

an5.139:13 And how is it that a mendicant can’t endure touches? It’s when a mendicant, encountering a touch with their body, is aroused by a desirable touch, so is not able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can’t endure touches.

an5.139:14 A mendicant with these five qualities is not worthy of offerings made for God’s sake, not worthy of hospitality, not worthy of a religious donation, not worthy of respectful greeting, and is not the supreme field of merit for the world.

an5.139:15 A royal bull elephant with five factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is reckoned a factor of kingship. What five? It’s when a royal bull elephant can endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

an5.139:16 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure sights? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder at the sight of a division of elephants, of cavalry, of chariots, or of infantry. It stays firm, and plunges into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure sights.

an5.139:17 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure sounds? It’s when a royal bull elephant does not falter or founder at the sound of a division of elephants, of cavalry, of chariots, or of infantry, or the thunder of the drums, kettledrums, horns, and cymbals. It stays firm, and plunges into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure sounds.

an5.139:18 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure smells? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder when it smells the odor of the feces and urine of battle-hardened, pedigree royal bull elephants. It stays firm, and plunges into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure smells.

an5.139:19 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure tastes? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder when it misses a meal of grass and water, or it misses two, three, four, or five meals. It stays firm, and plunges into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure tastes.

an5.139:20 And how is it that a royal bull elephant can endure touches? It’s when a royal bull elephant gone to battle does not falter or founder when struck by a swift arrow, or by two, three, four, or five swift arrows. It stays firm, and plunges into battle. That’s how a royal bull elephant can endure touches.

an5.139:21 A royal bull elephant with these five factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is reckoned a factor of kingship.

an5.139:22 In the same way, a mendicant with five qualities is worthy of offerings made for God’s sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of respectful greeting, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What five? It’s when a mendicant can endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches.

an5.139:23 And how is it that a mendicant can endure sights? It’s when a mendicant, seeing a sight with their eyes, is not aroused by a desirable sight, so is able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can endure sights.

an5.139:24 And how is it that a mendicant can endure sounds? It’s when a mendicant, hearing a sound with their ears, is not aroused by desirable sounds, so is able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can endure sounds.

an5.139:25 And how is it that a mendicant can endure smells? It’s when a mendicant, smelling an odor with their nose, is not aroused by a desirable smell, so is able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can endure smells.

an5.139:26 And how is it that a mendicant can endure tastes? It’s when a mendicant, tasting a flavor with their tongue, is not aroused by desirable tastes, so is able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can endure tastes.

an5.139:27 And how is it that a mendicant can endure touches? It’s when a mendicant, encountering a touch with their body, is not aroused by a desirable touch, so is able to still the mind. That’s how a mendicant can endure touches.

an5.139:28 A mendicant with these five qualities is worthy of offerings made for God’s sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of respectful greeting, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.”

14. Kings

A Listener

an5.140:1 “Mendicants, a royal bull elephant with five factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is reckoned a factor of kingship. What five? A royal bull elephant listens, destroys, protects, endures, and goes fast.

an5.140:2 And how does a royal bull elephant listen? It’s when a royal bull elephant pays attention, applies the mind, concentrates wholeheartedly, and actively listens to whatever task the elephant trainer has it do, whether or not it has done it before. That’s how a royal bull elephant listens.

an5.140:3 And how does a royal bull elephant destroy? It’s when a royal bull elephant in battle destroys elephants with their riders, horses with their riders, chariots and charioteers, and foot soldiers. That’s how a royal bull elephant destroys.

an5.140:4 And how does a royal bull elephant protect? It’s when a royal bull elephant in battle protects its fore-quarters and hind-quarters, its fore-feet and hind-feet, and its head, ears, tusks, trunk, tail, and rider. That’s how a royal bull elephant protects.

an5.140:5 And how does a royal bull elephant endure? It’s when a royal bull elephant in battle endures being struck by spears, swords, arrows, and axes; it endures the thunder of the drums, kettledrums, horns, and cymbals. That’s how a royal bull elephant endures.

an5.140:6 And how does a royal bull elephant go fast? It’s when a royal bull elephant swiftly goes in whatever direction the elephant trainer sends it, whether or not it has been there before. That’s how a royal bull elephant goes fast.

an5.140:7 A royal bull elephant with these five factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is reckoned a factor of kingship.

an5.140:8 In the same way, a mendicant with five qualities is worthy of offerings made for God’s sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of respectful greeting, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What five? A mendicant listens, destroys, protects, endures, and goes fast.

an5.140:9 And how does a mendicant listen? It’s when a mendicant pays attention, applies the mind, concentrates wholeheartedly, and actively listens when the teaching and training proclaimed by a Realized One is being taught. That’s how a mendicant listens.

an5.140:10 And how does a mendicant destroy? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t tolerate a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought. They don’t tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen, but give them up, dispel them, calm them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. That’s how a mendicant destroys.

an5.140:11 And how does a mendicant protect? When a mendicant sees a sight with the eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint. Hearing a sound with their ears … Smelling an odor with their nose … Tasting a flavor with their tongue … Encountering a touch with their body … Knowing an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint. That’s how a mendicant protects.

an5.140:12 And how does a mendicant endure? It’s when a mendicant endures cold, heat, hunger, and thirst; the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and reptiles; rude and unwelcome criticism; and puts up with physical pain—sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, disagreeable, and life-threatening. That’s how a mendicant endures.

an5.140:13 And how does a mendicant go fast? It’s when a mendicant swiftly goes in the direction they’ve never gone before in all this long time; that is, the stilling of all activities, the letting go of all attachments, the ending of craving, fading away, cessation, extinguishment. That’s how a mendicant goes fast.

an5.140:14 A mendicant with these five qualities … is the supreme field of merit for the world.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

Scorn

an5.141:1 “Mendicants, these five individuals are found in the world. What five? One gives then scorns, one lives together then scorns, one is gullible for gossip, one is impulsive, and one is dull and stupid.

an5.141:2 And how does an individual give then scorn? It’s when an individual gives an individual robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. They think: ‘I give; this one receives.’ They give to them, then they scorn them. That’s how an individual gives then scorns.

an5.141:3 And how does an individual live together then scorn? It’s when an individual lives with someone else for two or three years. They live together with them, then they scorn them. That’s how an individual lives together then scorns.

an5.141:4 And how is an individual gullible for gossip? It’s when they’re very quick to believe what a certain individual says in praise or criticism of another. That’s how an individual is gullible for gossip.

an5.141:5 And how is an individual impulsive? It’s when a certain individual is fickle in faith, devotion, fondness, and confidence. That’s how an individual is impulsive.

an5.141:6 And how is an individual dull and stupid? It’s when they don’t know the difference between qualities that are skillful and unskillful, blameworthy and blameless, inferior and superior, and those with a portion of dark or bright. That’s how an individual is dull and stupid. These are the five individuals found in the world.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

Transgression

an5.142:1 “Mendicants, these five individuals are found in the world. What five? One individual transgresses and regrets it. And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where those arisen bad, unskillful qualities cease without remainder.

an5.142:2 One individual transgresses and doesn’t regret it. And they don’t understand …

an5.142:3 One individual doesn’t transgress yet still feels regret. And they don’t understand …

an5.142:4 One individual neither transgresses nor regrets. But they don’t understand …

an5.142:5 One individual neither transgresses nor regrets. And they do understand where those arisen bad, unskillful qualities cease without remainder.

an5.142:6 Take the case of the individual who transgresses and regrets it. And they don’t truly understand the freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom where those arisen bad, unskillful qualities cease without remainder. They should be told: ‘Venerable, the defilements born of transgression are found in you, and the defilements born of regret grow. You would do well to give up the defilements born of transgression and dispel the defilements born of regret, and then develop the mind and wisdom. In this way you’ll become just like the fifth individual.’

an5.142:7 Take the case of the individual who transgresses and doesn’t regret it. And they don’t understand … They should be told: ‘Venerable, the defilements born of transgression are found in you, but the defilements born of regret don’t grow. You would do well to give up the defilements born of transgression, and then develop the mind and wisdom. In this way you’ll become just like the fifth individual.’

an5.142:8 Take the case of the individual who doesn’t transgress yet feels regret. And they don’t understand … They should be told: ‘Venerable, the defilements born of transgression are not found in you, yet the defilements born of regret grow. You would do well to dispel the defilements born of regret, and then develop the mind and wisdom. In this way you’ll become just like the fifth individual.’

an5.142:9 Take the case of the individual who neither transgresses nor regrets. But they don’t understand … They should be told: ‘Venerable, the defilements born of transgression are not found in you, and the defilements born of regret don’t grow. You would do well to develop the mind and wisdom. In this way you’ll become just like the fifth individual.’

an5.142:10 And so, mendicants, when these four individuals are advised and instructed by comparison with the fifth individual, they gradually attain the ending of defilements.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

At Sārandada

an5.143:1 At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Vesālī for alms. Now at that time around five hundred Licchavis were sitting together at the Sārandada Shrine, and this discussion came up among them, “The appearance of five treasures is rare in the world. What five? The elephant-treasure, the horse-treasure, the jewel-treasure, the woman-treasure, and the householder-treasure. The appearance of these five treasures is rare in the world.”

an5.143:2 Then those Licchavis sent a man out on to the road, saying, “My man, please tell us when you see the Buddha.” That man saw the Buddha coming off in the distance. He went to the Licchavis and said, “Sirs, the Blessed One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha is coming. Please go at your convenience.”

an5.143:3 Then those Licchavis went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him,

an5.143:4 “Please go to the Sārandada Shrine, out of sympathy.” The Buddha consented with silence. Then the Buddha went up to the Sārandada Shrine. He sat down on the seat spread out and said to the Licchavis, “Licchavis, what were you sitting talking about just now? What conversation was left unfinished?” “Well, sir, this discussion came up among us while we were sitting together: ‘The appearance of five treasures is rare in the world. …’”

an5.143:5 “You Licchavis are so fixated on sensual pleasures, that’s the only discussion that came up! Licchavis, the appearance of five treasures is rare in the world. What five? The appearance of a Realized One, a perfected one, a fully awakened Buddha. A teacher of the teaching and training proclaimed by a Realized One. An individual who understands the teaching and training proclaimed by a Realized One. An individual who practices in line with the teaching. An individual who is grateful and thankful. The appearance of these five treasures is rare in the world.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

At Tikaṇḍakī

an5.144:1 At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāketa in Tikaṇḍakī Wood. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

an5.144:2 “Mendicants, a mendicant would do well to meditate from time to time perceiving the following: the repulsive in the unrepulsive, the unrepulsive in the repulsive, the repulsive in both the unrepulsive and the repulsive, and the unrepulsive in both the repulsive and the unrepulsive. A mendicant would do well to meditate from time to time staying equanimous, mindful and aware, shunning both the repulsive and the unrepulsive.

an5.144:3 For what reason should a mendicant meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive? ‘May greed not arise in me for things that arouse greed.’ A mendicant should meditate perceiving the repulsive in the unrepulsive for this reason.

an5.144:4 For what reason should a mendicant meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in the repulsive? ‘May hate not arise in me for things that provoke hate.’ …

an5.144:5 For what reason should a mendicant meditate perceiving the repulsive in both the unrepulsive and the repulsive? ‘May greed not arise in me for things that arouse greed. May hate not arise in me for things that provoke hate.’ …

an5.144:6 For what reason should a mendicant meditate perceiving the unrepulsive in both the repulsive and the unrepulsive? ‘May hate not arise in me for things that provoke hate. May greed not arise in me for things that arouse greed.’ …

an5.144:7 For what reason should a mendicant meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, shunning both the repulsive and the unrepulsive? ‘May no greed for things that arouse greed, hate for things that provoke hate, or delusion for things that promote delusion arise in me in any way at all.’ For this reason a mendicant should meditate staying equanimous, mindful and aware, shunning both the repulsive and the unrepulsive.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

Hell

an5.145:1 “Mendicants, someone with five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What five? They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, and consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. Someone with these five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

an5.145:2 Someone with five qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. What five? They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. Someone with these five qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

A Friend

an5.146:1 “Mendicants, you shouldn’t associate with a mendicant friend who has five qualities. What five? They start up work projects. They take up disciplinary issues. They conflict with leading mendicants. They like long and aimless wandering. They’re unable to educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire you from time to time with a Dhamma talk. Mendicants, you shouldn’t associate with a mendicant friend who possesses these five qualities.

an5.146:2 You should associate with a mendicant friend who has five qualities. What five? They don’t start up work projects. They don’t take up disciplinary issues. They don’t conflict with leading mendicants. They don’t like long and aimless wandering. They’re able to educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire you from time to time with a Dhamma talk. You should associate with a mendicant friend who possesses these five qualities.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

Gifts of an Untrue Person

an5.147:1 “Mendicants, there are these five gifts of an untrue person. What five? They give carelessly. They give thoughtlessly. They don’t give with their own hand. They give the dregs. They give without consideration for consequences. These are the five gifts of an untrue person.

an5.147:2 There are these five gifts of a true person. What five? They give carefully. They give thoughtfully. They give with their own hand. They don’t give the dregs. They give with consideration for consequences. These are the five gifts of a true person.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

Gifts of a True Person

an5.148:1 “There are these five gifts of a true person. What five? They give a gift out of faith. They give a gift carefully. They give a gift at the right time. They give a gift with no strings attached. They give a gift without damaging themselves or others.

an5.148:2 Having given a gift out of faith, in whatever place the result of that gift manifests they become rich, affluent, and wealthy. And they’re attractive, good-looking, lovely, of surpassing beauty.

an5.148:3 Having given a gift carefully, in whatever place the result of that gift manifests they become rich, affluent, and wealthy. And their children, wives, bondservants, servants, and workers want to listen. They actively listen and try to understand.

an5.148:4 Having given a gift at the right time, in whatever place the result of that gift manifests they become rich, affluent, and wealthy. And when the time is right, their needs are amply satisfied.

an5.148:5 Having given a gift with no strings attached, in whatever place the result of that gift manifests they become rich, affluent, and wealthy. And their mind tends to enjoy the five refined kinds of sensual stimulation.

an5.148:6 Having given a gift without damaging themselves or others, in whatever place the result of that gift manifests they become rich, affluent, and wealthy. And no damage comes to their property from anywhere, whether fire, flood, rulers, bandits, or unloved heirs. These are the five gifts of a true person.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

Temporarily Free (1st)

an5.149:1 “Mendicants, these five things lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free. What five? They relish work, talk, sleep, and company. And they don’t review the extent of their mind’s freedom. These five things lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free.

an5.149:2 These five things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free. What five? They don’t relish work, talk, sleep, and company. And they review the extent of their mind’s freedom. These five things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free.”

15. At Tikaṇḍakī

Temporarily Free (2nd)

an5.150:1 “Mendicants, these five things lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free. What five? They relish work, talk, and sleep. They don’t guard the sense doors and they eat too much. These five things lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free.

an5.150:2 These five things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free. What five? They don’t relish work, talk, and sleep. They guard the sense doors and they have moderation in eating. These five things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant who is temporarily free.”

16. The True Teaching

The Sure Path (1st)

an5.151:1 “Mendicants, someone with five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities even when listening to the true teaching. What five? They disparage the talk, the speaker, or themselves. They listen with scattered and disunified mind. They apply the mind irrationally. Someone with these five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities, even when listening to the true teaching.

an5.151:2 Someone with five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching. What five? They don’t disparage the talk, the speaker, or themselves. They listen with unscattered and unified mind. They apply the mind rationally. Someone with these five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching.”

16. The True Teaching

The Sure Path (2nd)

an5.152:1 “Mendicants, someone with five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities even when listening to the true teaching. What five? They disparage the talk, the speaker, or themselves. They’re witless, dull, and idiotic. They think they know what they don’t know. Someone with these five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities, even when listening to the true teaching.

an5.152:2 Someone with five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching. What five? They don’t disparage the talk, the speaker, or themselves. They’re wise, bright, and clever. They don’t think they know what they don’t know. Someone with these five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching.”

16. The True Teaching

The Sure Path (3rd)

an5.153:1 “Mendicants, someone with five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities even when listening to the true teaching. What five? They listen to the teaching bent only on putting it down. They listen to the teaching with a hostile, fault-finding mind. They’re antagonistic to the teacher, planning to attack them. They’re witless, dull, and idiotic. And they think they know what they don’t know. Someone with these five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities even when listening to the true teaching.

an5.153:2 Someone with five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching. What five? They don’t listen to the teaching bent only on putting it down. They don’t listen to the teaching with a hostile, fault-finding mind. They’re not antagonistic to the teacher, and not planning to attack them. They’re wise, bright, and clever. And they don’t think they know what they don’t know. Someone with these five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regard to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching.”

16. The True Teaching

The Decline of the True Teaching (1st)

an5.154:1 “Mendicants, these five things lead to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching. What five? It’s when mendicants don’t carefully listen to the teachings, memorize them, and remember them. They don’t carefully examine the meaning of teachings that they remember. And they don’t carefully practice in line with the meaning and the teaching they’ve understood. These five things lead to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.

an5.154:2 These five things lead to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching. What five? It’s when mendicants carefully listen to the teachings, memorize them, and remember them. They carefully examine the meaning of teachings that they remember. And they carefully practice in line with the meaning and the teaching they’ve understood. These five things lead to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.”

16. The True Teaching

The Decline of the True Teaching (2nd)

an5.155:1 “Mendicants, these five things lead to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching. What five? It’s when the mendicants don’t memorize the teaching— statements, mixed prose & verse, discussions, verses, inspired exclamations, legends, stories of earlier generations, amazing stories, and elaborations. This is the first thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.

an5.155:2 Furthermore, the mendicants don’t explain the teaching in detail to others as they learned and memorized it. This is the second thing …