Aṇguttara 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 Suttaṃ

The Friend

Translated by E. M. Hare

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[129]

[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.'

 

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^[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.