Nikaya

Where Suffering Subsides

Numbered Discourses 5.203

  1. With Kimbila

A Thoroughbred

“Mendicants, a fine royal thoroughbred with five factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is reckoned a factor of kingship.

What five?

Integrity, speed, tenderness, patience, and gentleness.

A fine royal thoroughbred with these five factors is worthy of a king. …

In the same way, a mendicant with five qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.

What five?

Integrity, speed, tenderness, patience, and gentleness.

A mendicant with these five qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.”