[387] "And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu one who knows form (rūpa)? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu understands as it really is (yathābhūta): 'Whatever form there is, all form is the four great elements (mahābhūta) and form derived from the four great elements.' Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who knows form.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu skilled in characteristics? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu understands as it really is: 'A fool is characterized by his actions; a wise man is characterized by his actions.' Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is skilled in characteristics.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu one who picks out flies' eggs? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu does not tolerate an arisen thought of sensuality; he abandons it, dispels it, puts an end to it, and brings it to non-existence. An arisen thought of ill will … an arisen thought of cruelty … he does not tolerate evil, unwholesome states whenever they arise; he abandons them, dispels them, puts an end to them, and brings them to non-existence. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who picks out flies' eggs.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu one who dresses the wound? Here, bhikkhus, on seeing a form with the eye, a bhikkhu is not one who grasps at its sign (nimitta) nor one who grasps at its secondary features (anubyañjana). Since, were he to dwell with the eye faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief (abhijjhā-domanassa) might flow in upon him, he practises for its restraint; he guards the eye faculty; he undertakes restraint of the eye faculty. On hearing a sound with the ear … on smelling an odour with the nose … on tasting a flavour with the tongue … on touching a tangible with the body … on cognizing a mental object with the mind, he is not one who grasps at its sign nor one who grasps at its secondary features. Since, were he to dwell with the mind faculty unrestrained, evil, unwholesome states of covetousness and grief might flow in upon him, he practises for its restraint; he guards the mind faculty; he undertakes restraint of the mind faculty. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who dresses the wound.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu one who makes smoke? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu teaches the Dhamma in detail to others as he has heard it and as he has learned it. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who makes smoke.
"And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu know the ford? Here, bhikkhus, from time to time a bhikkhu approaches those bhikkhus who are elders, of great learning, heirs of the tradition, bearers of the Dhamma, bearers of the Vinaya, bearers of the summaries (mātikā), and questions and interrogates them: 'How is this, venerable sir? What is the meaning of this?' Those venerable ones disclose to him what is undisclosed, make clear what has not been made clear, and dispel his doubt concerning the numerous things that are occasions for doubt. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu knows the ford.
"And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu know the drink? Here, bhikkhus, when the Dhamma and Discipline proclaimed by the Tathāgata is being taught, a bhikkhu gains inspiration in the meaning, gains inspiration in the Dhamma, and gains gladness connected with the Dhamma. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu knows the drink.
"And how, bhikkhus, does a bhikkhu know the road? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu understands the Noble Eightfold Path (magga) as it really is. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu knows the road.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu skilled in the pasture? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu understands the four establishments of mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna) as they really are. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is skilled in the pasture.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu one who milks leaving something in reserve? Here, bhikkhus, when faithful householders invite a bhikkhu to take as much as he wishes of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick, the bhikkhu knows moderation in accepting. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who milks leaving something in reserve.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu one who honours with exceeding veneration those bhikkhus who are elders, of long standing, long gone forth, the fathers of the Saṅgha, the leaders of the Saṅgha? Here, bhikkhus, toward those bhikkhus who are elders, of long standing, long gone forth, the fathers of the Saṅgha, the leaders of the Saṅgha, a bhikkhu maintains bodily acts of loving-kindness both openly and in private; he maintains verbal acts of loving-kindness both openly and in private; he maintains mental acts of loving-kindness both openly and in private. Thus, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who honours with exceeding veneration those bhikkhus who are elders, of long standing, long gone forth, the fathers of the Saṅgha, the leaders of the Saṅgha.
"Possessing these eleven qualities, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is capable of attaining growth, increase, and fullness in this Dhamma and Discipline."
Thus spoke the Blessed One. Elated, those bhikkhus delighted in the Blessed One's words.
The Mahāgopālasutta, the third, is finished.
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Cūḷagopālasutta
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.