2. Mahāvagga

Aṅguttara Nikāya 8.16

Numbered Discourses 8.16

2. Mahāvagga

2. The Great Chapter

Dūteyyasutta

Going on a Mission

“Aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati.

“Mendicants, a mendicant with eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission.

Katamehi aṭṭhahi?

What eight?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sotā ca hoti, sāvetā ca, uggahetā ca, dhāretā ca, viññātā ca, viññāpetā ca, kusalo ca sahitāsahitassa, no ca kalahakārako—

It’s a mendicant who learns and educates others. They memorize and remember. They understand and help others understand. They’re skilled at knowing what’s on topic and what isn’t. And they don’t cause quarrels.

imehi kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati.

A mendicant with these eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission.

Aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati.

Having eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission.

Katamehi aṭṭhahi?

What eight?

Idha, bhikkhave, sāriputto sotā ca hoti, sāvetā ca, uggahetā ca, dhāretā ca, viññātā ca, viññāpetā ca, kusalo ca sahitāsahitassa, no ca kalahakārako.

He learns and educates others. He memorizes and remembers. He understands and helps others understand. He’s skilled at knowing what’s on topic and what isn’t. And he doesn’t cause quarrels.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto dūteyyaṁ gantumarahatīti.

Having these eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission.

Yo ve na byathati patvā,

They don’t tremble when arriving

parisaṁ uggavādiniṁ;

at an assembly of fierce debaters.

Na ca hāpeti vacanaṁ,

They don’t miss out any words,

na ca chādeti sāsanaṁ.

or conceal the instructions.

Asandiddhañca bhaṇati,

Their words aren’t poisoned,

Pucchito na ca kuppati;

and they don’t tremble when questioned.

Sa ve tādisako bhikkhu,

Such a mendicant

Dūteyyaṁ gantumarahatī”ti.

is worthy of going on a mission.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.