iti.17 Itivuttaka

The Good Friend

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, in regard to external factors, I do not perceive another single factor so helpful as good friendship for a bhikkhu who is a learner, who has not attained perfection but lives aspiring for the supreme security from bondage. Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu who has a good friend abandons what is unwholesome and develops what is wholesome.”

When a bhikkhu has good friends,
And is reverential and respectful,
Doing what his friends advise,
Clearly comprehending and mindful,
He may progressively attain
The destruction of all fetters.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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A Trainee (2nd)

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Taking into account exterior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that is so very helpful as good friendship for a trainee mendicant who hasn’t achieved their heart’s desire, but lives aspiring to the supreme sanctuary.
A mendicant who has good friends gives up the unskillful and develops the skillful.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“A mendicant with good friends
is reverential and respectful
when their friends are speaking,
aware and mindful.
Gradually they would attain
the ending of all fetters.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.