Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka-Nipāta
12. Andhakavinda Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The book of the Fives
Chapter XII: Andhakavinda
Sutta 112
Pacchā-Samaṇa Suttaṃ
The Recluse Who Walks Behind
Translated by E. M. Hare
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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, acting in five ways
a recluse[1] ought not to be taken
to walk behind.
What five?
He keeps too far behind
or too near;
takes not the alms-laden bowl;[2]
restrains not one's speech
from being overtaken in a fault;
interrupts one,
time and again,
in speaking;
and is dull-witted,
stupid,
an idiot.
Monks, acting in these five ways
a recluse ought not to be taken
to walk behind.'
§
"Monks, acting in five ways
a recluse should be taken
to walk behind.
What five?
He does not keep too far behind
or too near;
takes the alms-laden bowl;
restrains one's speech
from being overtaken in a fault;
does not interrupt one,
time and again,
in speaking;
and is insightful,[ed1]
not stupid,
not an idiot.
Monks, acting in these five ways
a recluse should be taken
to walk behind.'
[1] A junior; for the first four clauses see Vin. i, 46 (in different order); for the fourth Cf. below VI, § 60; Sn. p. 107; M. ii, 122.
[2] Patta-pariyāpanna.
[ed1] Hare has abridged the entire second section of this sutta. This term, in the Pali is 'paññavā' not 'na duppañño'. Hare usually translates 'pañña' as 'insight' hence 'insightful.'
