“Bhikkhus, possessing five qualities, a bhikkhu is practicing neither for his own welfare nor for the welfare of others. What five? (1) Here, a bhikkhu is not accomplished in virtuous behavior himself and does not encourage others to become accomplished in virtuous behavior; (2) he is not accomplished in concentration himself and does not encourage others to become accomplished in concentration; (3) he is not accomplished in wisdom himself and does not encourage others to become accomplished in wisdom; (4) he is not accomplished in liberation himself and does not encourage others to become accomplished in liberation; (5) he is not accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation himself and does not encourage others to become accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation. Possessing these five qualities, a bhikkhu is practicing neither for his own welfare nor for the welfare of others.”
an.5.19 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)
Welfare (3)
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
The Welfare of Neither
“Mendicants, a mendicant with five qualities is practicing neither for their own welfare, nor that of others.What five?
It’s when a mendicant is not personally accomplished in ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, or the knowledge and vision of freedom. Nor do they encourage others in these qualities.
A mendicant with these five qualities is practicing neither for their own welfare, nor that of others.”