Numbered Discourses 5.234

24. A Resident Bhikkhu

Very Helpful

“Bhikkhus, a resident bhikkhu with five qualities is very helpful to the monastery. What five?

They’re ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.

They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s totally full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reciting them, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.

They repair what is decayed and damaged.

When a large bhikkhu Saṅgha is arriving with bhikkhus from abroad, they go to the lay people and announce:

‘A large bhikkhu Saṅgha is arriving with bhikkhus from abroad. Make merit! Now is the time to make merit!’

They get the four jhānas—pleasant meditations in the present life that belong to the higher mind—when they want, without trouble or difficulty.

A resident bhikkhu with these five qualities is very helpful to the monastery.”