Persons Who Are Worthy of Gifts (Eleventh Discourse)

So too, Monks, possessing eight qualities, a Monk is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respectful salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.

What eight?

(1) Here, a Monk is virtuous (practicing moral conduct); he resides restrained by the training guidelines, possessed of wholesome conduct and wise decision making, seeing danger in the slightest faults. Having undertaken the training guidelines, he trains in them.

(2) He respectfully eats whatever food they give him, whether rough or excellent, without being annoyed.

(3) He is disinterested in bodily, verbal, and mental misconduct; he is disinterested in the acquisition of the numerous kinds of evil unwholesome qualities.

(4) He is gentle and pleasant to live with, and he does not attempt to agitate other Monks.

(5) He reveals his tricks, ploys, schemes, and ruses as they really are to the Teacher or to his wise fellow Monks so that they can make an effort to stamp them out of him.

(6) He is one who takes up the training, determined: Whether or not other Monks train, I will train.

(7) When moving, he moves only along a straight path. In this connection, this is the straight path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.

(8) He has aroused energy thus: Willingly, let only my skin, sinews, and bones remain, and let the flesh and blood dry up in this body, but I will not relax the energy so long as I have not attained what can be attained by strength, energy, and effort.

Possessing these eight qualities, a Monk is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respectful salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.

(Reference: AN 8.13)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares eight qualities a person should possess to be considered a recipient who is “worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of respectful salutation, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world”.

1.) Virtuous (practicing moral conduct): A Practitioner is practicing wholesome moral conduct described in The Eight Fold Path as part of Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood, along with all The Teachings that connect into The Eight Fold Path that further elaborate and describe moral conduct.

A Practitioner is practicing discernment (i.e. wise decision making).

Discernment: is wise decision making based in wisdom. Discernment is helpful to the mind and needs to be cultivated to attain Enlightenment.

A Practitioner is practicing moral concern, seeing danger in the slightest faults.

Detailed explanation of moral concern is available in this same book series found in Chapter 25 of the book “Generosity” (Volume 13).

Understanding these Teachings, a Practitioner is determined, dedicated, and diligent to train in the training guidelines actively progressing towards the ultimate goal of Enlightenment.

2.) Respectfully eats whatever food they give him: A Practitioner has eliminated craving/desire/attachment for specific foods as part of eradicating the fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as “sensual desire”. The Practitioner is willing to eat whatever food is offered to them without any frustration, irritation, or annoyance.

3.) Disinterested in bodily, verbal, and mental misconduct; disinterested in the acquisition of the numerous kinds of evil unwholesome qualities: A Practitioner is practicing moral wrongdoing and moral concern.

Detailed explanation of moral wrongdoing and moral concern is available in this same book series found in Chapter 25 of the book “Generosity” (Volume 13).

4.) Gentle and pleasant to live with, and he does not attempt to agitate others: To be gentle is the quality of being polite, kind, friendly, and respectful to all beings. One should not attempt to agitate others in their interactions.

5.) Reveals his tricks, ploys, schemes, and ruses as they really are to the Teacher or to his wise friends so that they can make an effort to stamp them out of him: A Practitioner should be open and forthcoming about the challenges they face in developing their moral conduct. Through sharing these details with one’s Teacher and other Enlightened beings within a Community, a Practitioner can receive the needed guidance to improve their life practice.

6.) Takes up the training, determined: Whether or not others train, I will train: A Practitioner develops their practice through focusing on their own independent journey to Enlightenment rather than attaching their life practice to whether others decide to learn, reflect, and practice. One remains determined, dedicated, and diligent regardless of what others choose to do or not do.

7.) When moving, one moves only along a straight path. In this connection, this is the straight path: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration: A Practitioner learns, reflects, and practices The Eight Fold Path progressing forward in developing their life practice.

8.) One has aroused energy thus: Willingly, let only my skin, sinews, and bones remain, and let the flesh and blood dry up in this body, but I will not relax the energy so long as I have not attained what can be attained by strength, energy, and effort: A Practitioner is practicing the Enlightenment factor of energy with determination, dedication, and diligence.

Practicing the Enlightenment factor of energy having eradicated complacency.

Energy: (Effort, determination, ambition, initiative, motivation, vigor, and enthusiasm; willingness to do something.)

See Chapter 3 in the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1) to learn The Seven Factors of Enlightenment.