The Buddha describes the eight qualities that make a mendicant worthy of going on a mission to teach and guide others.

AN 8.16 Going on a Mission

“Aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati. Katamehi aṭṭhahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sotā ca hoti, sāvetā ca, uggahetā ca, dhāretā ca, viññātā ca, viññāpetā ca, kusalo ca sahitāsahitassa, no ca kalahakārako imehi kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati.

Aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati. Katamehi aṭṭhahi? Idha, bhikkhave, sāriputto sotā ca hoti, sāvetā ca, uggahetā ca, dhāretā ca, viññātā ca, viññāpetā ca, kusalo ca sahitāsahitassa, no ca kalahakārako. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto dūteyyaṁ gantumarahatīti.

Yo ve na byathati patvā,
parisaṁ uggavādiniṁ;
Na ca hāpeti vacanaṁ,
na ca chādeti sāsanaṁ.

Asandiddhañca bhaṇati,
Pucchito na ca kuppati;
Sa ve tādisako bhikkhu,
Dūteyyaṁ gantumarahatī”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“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.

Qualities:

Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026