Well-known

AN 3.11 · Ñātasutta

Two mature trees growing beside each other on a quiet meadow edge.

“Mendicants, a well-known mendicant with three qualities is acting for the detriment and unhappiness of the people, against the people, for the harm, detriment, and suffering of gods and humans. What three? They encourage deeds of body and speech, as well as principles, that aren’t in line with good qualities.

A well-known mendicant who possesses these three qualities is acting for the detriment and unhappiness of the people, against the people, for the harm, detriment, and suffering of gods and humans.

A well-known mendicant with three qualities is acting for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. What three? They encourage deeds of body and speech, as well as principles, that are in line with good qualities.

A well-known mendicant who possesses these three qualities is acting for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.”

Connections

Collection & context

Aṅguttara NikāyaThe collection containing this text
The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting

Books

The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Aṅguttara NikāyaBhikkhu Bodhi; Bhikkhu Bodhi (translator) · Complete collection edition

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.