The Buddha teaches that a fine royal thoroughbred with six factors—including endurance of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches—is worthy of a king and fit to serve a king.

AN 6.5 The Thoroughbred (1st)

“Chahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅgantveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, rañño bhadro assājānīyo khamo hoti rūpānaṁ, khamo saddānaṁ, khamo gandhānaṁ, khamo rasānaṁ, khamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ, vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅgantveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti rūpānaṁ, khamo saddānaṁ, khamo gandhānaṁ, khamo rasānaṁ, khamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ, khamo dhammānaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅgantveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

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

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, rañño bhadro assājānīyo khamo hoti rūpānaṁ, khamo saddānaṁ, khamo gandhānaṁ, khamo rasānaṁ, khamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ, vaṇṇasampanno ca hoti.

It’s when a fine royal thoroughbred can endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. And it’s beautiful.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi aṅgehi samannāgato rañño bhadro assājānīyo rājāraho hoti rājabhoggo, rañño aṅgantveva saṅkhaṁ gacchati.

A fine royal thoroughbred with these six factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is reckoned a factor of kingship.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa.

In the same way, a mendicant with six 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.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khamo hoti rūpānaṁ, khamo saddānaṁ, khamo gandhānaṁ, khamo rasānaṁ, khamo phoṭṭhabbānaṁ, khamo dhammānaṁ.

It’s when a mendicant can endure sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches, and ideas.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

A mendicant with these six 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.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Qualities:

Merit

Merit

Wholesome result of good conduct, generosity, and right intention. Merit brightens the mind and supports happiness and favorable conditions for practice.

Also known as: good deeds, spiritual wealth
Pāli: puñña, kalyāṇa
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Respect

Respect

A mental attitude of reverent attentiveness that values goodness and wisdom in oneself and others. It steadies conduct and opens the mind to learning and humility.

Also known as: reverence, veneration, regard, admiration, appreciation, deference, honour, attentiveness
Pāli: gārava, pūjā, sakkāra
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Last updated on July 27, 2026