Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
15. Tikaṇḍaki Vaggo
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter XV: Three-thorn Grove
Sutta 146
Bhikkhu Mitta Suttaɱ
The Friend
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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[1] Thus have I heard:
Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, seek ye not a monk for a friend whose ways are five.
What five?
He works at (field)[1] work;
busies himself in affairs;[2]
is at enmity with eminent monks;
spends his life taking the long way,
the way without an object;[3]
and cannot from time to time incite,
arouse,
gladden
and satisfy one with Dhamma talk.
Verily, monks, seek not a monk for a friend
whose ways are these.'
§
"Monks, seek ye a monk for a friend whose ways are five.
What five?
He does not work at (field) work;
he does not busy himself in affairs;
he is not at enmity with eminent monks;
he does not spend his life taking the long way,
the way without an object;
he can from time to time incite,
arouse,
gladden
and satisfy one with Dhamma talk.
Verily, monks, seek a monk for a friend
whose ways are these.'
[1] So Comy.
[2] Comy. the four; these can hardly be the four at M. ii, 247.
[3] Ana-vattha. Comy. a-vavatthāna-. Cf. below V, § 221.
