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Aṅguttara Nikāya - The Numerical Discourses

8: The Book of the Eights

II. The Great Chapter — AN 8.16: Going on a Mission

1“Mendicants, a mendicant with eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission. What eight? It’s a mendicant who learns and educates others. They memorize and help others 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. A mendicant with these eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission.

Having eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission. What eight?

He learns and educates others. He memorizes and helps others remember. 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. Having these eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission.


2They don’t tremble when arriving
at an assembly of fierce debaters.
They don’t omit any words,
or conceal the instructions.

3Their words aren’t poisoned,
and they don’t tremble when questioned.
Such a mendicant
is worthy of going on a mission.”

1"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.


2Yo ve na byathati patvā,
parisaṁ uggavādiniṁ;
Na ca hāpeti vacanaṁ,
na ca chādeti sāsanaṁ.

3Asandiddhañca bhaṇati,
Pucchito na ca kuppati;
Sa ve tādisako bhikkhu,
Dūteyyaṁ gantumarahatī"ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.