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← Aṅguttara Nikāya

The Thoroughbred (1st)

AN 6.5 · Paṭhamaājānīyasutta

Fresh buds open on an old tree branch above pale winter grass.

“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.

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

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

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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.