Service

Translated by E. M. Hare

[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, a novice ought to serve a monk
endowed with these five things.

What five?

Herein, monks, the monk is endowed
with the whole body of virtue
with no need to train.

■

Herein, monks, the monk is endowed
with the whole body of concentration
with no need to train.

■

Herein, monks, the monk is endowed
with the whole body of insight
with no need to train.

■

Herein, monks, the monk is endowed
with the whole body of emancipation
with no need to train.

■

Herein, monks, the monk is endowed
with the whole body of knowledge and vision of emancipation
with no need to train.

Monks, a novice ought to serve a monk
endowed with these five things.'