The Buddha teaches on gone forth when old (2nd), presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.
Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato dullabho vuḍḍhapabbajito. Katamehi pañcahi? Dullabho, bhikkhave, vuḍḍhapabbajito suvaco, dullabho suggahitaggāhī, dullabho padakkhiṇaggāhī, dullabho dhammakathiko, dullabho vinayadharo. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato dullabho vuḍḍhapabbajito”ti.
Dasamaṁ.
Nīvaraṇavaggo paṭhamo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Āvaraṇaṁ rāsi aṅgāni,
samayaṁ mātuputtikā;
Upajjhā ṭhānā licchavi,
kumārā aparā duveti.
Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato dullabho vuḍḍhapabbajito.
“Mendicants, it’s hard to find someone gone forth when old who has five qualities.
Katamehi pañcahi?
What five?
Dullabho, bhikkhave, vuḍḍhapabbajito suvaco, dullabho suggahitaggāhī, dullabho padakkhiṇaggāhī, dullabho dhammakathiko, dullabho vinayadharo.
It’s hard to find someone gone forth when old who is easy to admonish, retains what they learn, and learns respectfully, who can teach the Dhamma, and has memorized the monastic law.
Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato dullabho vuḍḍhapabbajito”ti.
It’s hard to find someone gone forth when old who possesses these five qualities.”
Dasamaṁ.
Nīvaraṇavaggo paṭhamo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Āvaraṇaṁ rāsi aṅgāni,
samayaṁ mātuputtikā;
Upajjhā ṭhānā licchavi,
kumārā aparā duveti.
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Last updated on July 27, 2026