Aṅguttara Nikāya — Discursos Numerados — 10.98 — A Senior Mendicant

1“Mendicants, a senior mendicant with ten qualities lives comfortably in whatever region they live. What ten?

2They are long standing and have long gone forth.

3They’re ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.

4They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and penetrating them theoretically.

5Both monastic codes have been passed down to them in detail, well analyzed, well mastered, well evaluated in both the rules and accompanying material.

6They’re skilled in the instigation and settlement of disciplinary issues.

7They love the teachings and are a delight to converse with, being full of joy in the teaching and training.

8They’re content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

9They look impressive when going out and coming back, and are well restrained when sitting in an inhabited area.

10They get the four absorptions—blissful meditations in this life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.

11They realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.

12A senior mendicant with these ten qualities lives comfortably in whatever region they live.”