Numbered Discourses 5.169

17. Resentment

Quick-witted

Then Venerable Ānanda went up to Venerable Sāriputta, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to him:

“Friend Sāriputta, how are we to define a bhikkhu who is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings, who learns well, learns much, and does not forget what they’ve learned?”

“Well, Venerable Ānanda, you’re very learned. Why don’t you clarify this yourself?”

“Well then, Friend Sāriputta, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.”

“Yes, friend,” Sāriputta replied. Venerable Ānanda said this:

“It’s when a bhikkhu is skilled in the meaning, skilled in the teaching, skilled in terminology, skilled in phrasing, and skilled in sequence. That is how to define a bhikkhu who is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings, who learns well, learns much, and does not forget what they’ve learned.”

“It’s incredible, it’s amazing! How well this was said by Venerable Ānanda! And we will remember Venerable Ānanda as someone who has these five qualities: ‘Friend Ānanda is skilled in the meaning, skilled in the teaching, skilled in terminology, skilled in phrasing, and skilled in sequence.’”