Aṇguttara Nikāya


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Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
13. Gilāna Vaggo

The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
Chapter XIII: The Sick

Sutta 124

Gilānūpaṭṭhāka Suttaṃ

On Helping (b)

Translated by E. M. Hare

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[110]

[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, possessing five qualities
one who waits on the sick
is not fit to help the sick.

What five?

[111] He cannot prepare medicaments;

does not know physic from what is not physic,
offers what is not,
does not offer what is;

in hope of gain[1] waits on the sick,
not from good-will;

loathes to move excrement,
urine,
puke
and spittle;

nor can he
from time to time
instruct,
rouse,
gladden
and satisfy the sick
with Dhamma-talk.

Monks, possessing these five qualities
one who waits on the sick
is not fit to help the sick.'

 

§

 

"Monks, possessing five qualities
one who waits on the sick
is fit to help the sick.

What five?

He can prepare medicaments;

knows physic from what is not physic,
offers what is,
does not offer what is not;

not in hope of gain waits on the sick,
but from good-will;

does not loathe to move excrement,
urine,
puke
and spittle;

he can
from time to time
instruct,
rouse,
gladden
and satisfy the sick
with Dhamma-talk.

Monks, possessing these five qualities
one who waits on the sick
is fit to help the sick.'

 


[1] Comy. 'expecting (gifts) of robes, ete.' (forgetting the helper might well be a lay-disciple, e.g. Suppiyā, A. i, 26).


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