“Bhikkhus, possessing five qualities, a bhikkhu is practicing both for his own welfare and for the welfare of others. What five? (1) Here, a bhikkhu is himself accomplished in virtuous behavior and encourages others to become accomplished in virtuous behavior; (2) he is himself accomplished in concentration and encourages others to become accomplished in concentration; (3) he is himself accomplished in wisdom and encourages others to become accomplished in wisdom; (4) he is himself accomplished in liberation and encourages others to become accomplished in liberation; (5) he is himself accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation and encourages others to become accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation. Possessing these five qualities, a bhikkhu is practicing both for his own welfare and for the welfare of others.”
an.5.20 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)
Welfare (4)
- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi
- Editor: Blake Walsh
The Welfare of Both
“Mendicants, a mendicant with five qualities is practicing for both their own welfare and 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. And they encourage others in these qualities.
A mendicant with these five qualities is practicing both for their own welfare and that of others.”