The Buddha teaches on a resident mendicant, presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.231 A Resident Mendicant

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu abhāvanīyo hoti. Katamehi pañcahi? Na ākappasampanno hoti na vattasampanno; na bahussuto hoti na sutadharo; na paṭisallekhitā hoti na paṭisallānārāmo; na kalyāṇavāco hoti na kalyāṇavākkaraṇo; duppañño hoti jaḷo eḷamūgo. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu abhāvanīyo hoti.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu bhāvanīyo hoti. Katamehi pañcahi? Ākappasampanno hoti vattasampanno; bahussuto hoti sutadharo; paṭisallekhitā hoti paṭisallānārāmo; kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo; paññavā hoti ajaḷo aneḷamūgo. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu bhāvanīyo hotī”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu abhāvanīyo hoti.

“Mendicants, a resident mendicant with five qualities is not admirable.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Na ākappasampanno hoti na vattasampanno;

They’re not accomplished in being well-presented and doing their duties.

na bahussuto hoti na sutadharo;

They’re not very learned and don’t remember what they’ve learned.

na paṭisallekhitā hoti na paṭisallānārāmo;

They’re not self-effacing and don’t enjoy self-effacement.

na kalyāṇavāco hoti na kalyāṇavākkaraṇo;

They’re not a good speaker and do not enunciate well.

duppañño hoti jaḷo eḷamūgo.

They’re witless, dull, and idiotic.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu abhāvanīyo hoti.

A resident mendicant with these five qualities is not admirable.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu bhāvanīyo hoti.

A resident mendicant with these five qualities is admirable.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Ākappasampanno hoti vattasampanno;

They’re accomplished in being well-presented and doing their duties.

bahussuto hoti sutadharo;

They’re very learned and remember what they’ve learned.

paṭisallekhitā hoti paṭisallānārāmo;

They’re self-effacing and enjoy self-effacement.

kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo;

They’re a good speaker who enunciates well.

paññavā hoti ajaḷo aneḷamūgo.

They’re wise, bright, and clever.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu bhāvanīyo hotī”ti.

A resident mendicant with these five qualities is admirable.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Learning

Learning

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Unassuming

Unassuming

A gentle, low-profile way of speaking and acting that avoids drawing attention to oneself; restrained in self-display, giving space to others, and simple in manner.

Also known as: courteous, low-key, respectful, not impudent, self-effacing, unpretentious
Pāli: appagabbha, sorata
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026