“Bhikkhus, possessing five qualities, a bhikkhu is practicing for his own welfare but not for the welfare of others. What five? (1) Here, a bhikkhu is himself accomplished in virtuous behavior but does not encourage others to become accomplished in virtuous behavior; (2) he is himself accomplished in concentration but does not encourage others to become accomplished in concentration; (3) he is himself accomplished in wisdom but does not encourage others to become accomplished in wisdom; (4) he is himself accomplished in liberation but does not encourage others to become accomplished in liberation; (5) he is himself accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation but does not encourage others to become accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation. Possessing these five qualities, a bhikkhu is practicing for his own welfare but not for the welfare of others.”
an.5.17 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)
Welfare (1)
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
One’s Own Welfare
“Mendicants, a mendicant with five qualities is practicing for their own welfare, but not that of others.What five?
It’s when a mendicant is personally accomplished in ethics, immersion, wisdom, freedom, and the knowledge and vision of freedom. But they don’t encourage others in these qualities.
A mendicant with these five qualities is practicing for their own welfare, but not that of others.”