[222] The venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this: "Friends, even though a bhikkhu gives the invitation: 'Let the venerable ones speak to me; I am one who may be spoken to by the venerable ones,' yet if he is difficult to admonish (dubbaca), endowed with qualities that make one difficult to admonish (dovacassakaraṇā dhammā), impatient, not accepting instruction respectfully, then his companions in the holy life do not think him one who should be spoken to, do not think him one who should be instructed, and do not think that trust should be placed in that person. And what, friends, are the qualities that make one difficult to admonish? Here, friends,
1. a bhikkhu is of evil wishes (pāpiccha), gone under the sway of evil wishes. Friends, that a bhikkhu is of evil wishes, gone under the sway of evil wishes — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
2. Again, friends, a bhikkhu extols himself and disparages others. Friends, that a bhikkhu extols himself and disparages others — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
3. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is angry, overcome by anger. Friends, that a bhikkhu is angry, overcome by anger — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
4. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is angry and, because of anger, resentful (upanāhī). Friends, that a bhikkhu is angry and, because of anger, resentful — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
5. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is angry and, because of anger, given to suspicion (abhisaṅkī). Friends, that a bhikkhu is angry and, because of anger, given to suspicion — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
6. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is angry and utters words bordering on anger. Friends, that a bhikkhu is angry and utters words bordering on anger — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
7. Again, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, opposes the reprover. Friends, that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, opposes the reprover — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
8. Again, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, disparages the reprover. Friends, that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, disparages the reprover — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
9. Again, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, brings a counter-charge against the reprover. Friends, that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, brings a counter-charge against the reprover — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
10. Again, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, evades one question with another, leads the talk off the subject, and displays anger, hatred, and displeasure. Friends, that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, evades one question with another, leads the talk off the subject, and displays anger, hatred, and displeasure — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
11. Again, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, fails to give an account of his conduct. Friends, that a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, fails to give an account of his conduct — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
12. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is denigrating and domineering. Friends, that a bhikkhu is denigrating and domineering — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
13. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is envious and stingy. Friends, that a bhikkhu is envious and stingy — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
14. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is crafty and deceitful. Friends, that a bhikkhu is crafty and deceitful — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
15. Again, friends, a bhikkhu is obstinate and arrogant. Friends, that a bhikkhu is obstinate and arrogant — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
16. Again, friends, a bhikkhu adheres to his own views, holds them tenaciously, and relinquishes them with difficulty. Friends, that a bhikkhu adheres to his own views, holds them tenaciously, and relinquishes them with difficulty — this too is a quality that makes one difficult to admonish.
These, friends, are called the qualities that make one difficult to admonish.
*Qualities That Make One Easy to Admonish*
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.