Persons Who Are Worthy of Gifts (Seventh Discourse)

So too, possessing four factors, 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 four?

Here, a Monk is skilled in places, a long-distance shooter, a sharp-shooter, and one who splits a great body.

(1) And how, Monks, is a Monk skilled in places?

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. It is in this way that a Monk is skilled in places.

(2) And how is a Monk a long-distance shooter?

Here, any kind of form whatsoever - whether past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, inferior or superior, far or near - a Monk sees all form as it really is with correct wisdom thus: This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.

Any kind of feeling whatsoever…

Any kind of perception whatsoever…

Any kind of volitional formations (choices/decisions) whatsoever…

Any kind of consciousness whatsoever - whether past, future, or present, internal or external, gross or subtle, inferior or superior, far or near — a Monk sees all consciousness as it really is with correct wisdom thus: This is not mine, this I am not, this is not my self.

It is in this way that a Monk is a long-distance shooter.

(3) And how is a Monk a sharp-shooter?

Here, a Monk understands as it really is: This is discontentedness.

He understands as it really is: This is the cause of discontentedness.

He understands as it really is: This is the elimination of discontentedness.

He understands as it really is: This is the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness.

It is in this way that a Monk is a sharp-shooter.

(4) And how is a Monk one who splits a great body?

Here, a Monk splits the great mass of ignorance (unknowing of true reality). It is in this way that a Monk is one who splits a great body.

Possessing these four 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 4.181)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares four factors 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.) And how, Monks, is a Monk skilled in places?

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.) And how is a Monk a long-distance shooter?

A Practitioner has eliminated the fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as “personal existence view” having realized The Universal Truth of Non-self.

A Practitioner no longer views The Five Aggregates of form, feeling, perception, volitional formations (choices/decisions), nor consciousness as being “the self”.

This body nor this mind belongs to you.

Detailed explanation of The Universal Truth of Non-self is available in this same book series found in Chapters 4 and 16 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).

3.) And how is a Monk a sharp-shooter?

A Practitioner understands The Four Noble Truths establishing Right View.

Detailed explanation of The Four Noble Truths is available in this same book series found in Chapter 4 of the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” (Volume 1).

4.) And how is a Monk one who splits a great body?

A Practitioner has eliminated the fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as “ignorance” having attained Enlightenment.

A Practitioner no longer experiences any discontentedness.