[174] The Blessed One said this: "Bhaddāli, suppose a skilled horse-trainer, having obtained a fine thoroughbred horse, first of all sets it the task of getting used to the bit. While it is being set the task of getting used to the bit, there occur in it certain twistings, writhings, and strugglings of one sort or another, just as in one being set a task it has never been made to do before. Through repeated training, through gradual training, it is pacified in that respect. When, Bhaddāli, the fine thoroughbred horse has been pacified in that respect through repeated training, through gradual training, then the horse-trainer sets it a further task: getting used to the yoke. While it is being set the task of getting used to the yoke, there occur in it certain twistings, writhings, and strugglings of one sort or another, just as in one being set a task it has never been made to do before. Through repeated training, through gradual training, it is pacified in that respect. When, Bhaddāli, the fine thoroughbred horse has been pacified in that respect through repeated training, through gradual training, then the horse-trainer sets it further tasks: in keeping in step, in circling, in prancing on the hooves, in galloping, in charging, in the royal qualities, in the royal lineage, in supreme speed, in being a supreme steed, in supreme gentleness. While it is being set the task of supreme speed, of being a supreme steed, of supreme gentleness, there occur in it certain twistings, writhings, and strugglings of one sort or another, just as in one being set a task it has never been made to do before. Through repeated training, through gradual training, it is pacified in that respect. When, Bhaddāli, the fine thoroughbred horse has been pacified in that respect through repeated training, through gradual training, then the horse-trainer further bestows upon it grooming and strengthening.
"Endowed with these ten factors, Bhaddāli, a fine thoroughbred horse is worthy of a king, is fit for a king's use, and is reckoned as a very factor of kingship. In the same way, Bhaddāli, a bhikkhu endowed with ten qualities is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation with joined palms, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. With what ten? Here, Bhaddāli, a bhikkhu is endowed with the right view of one beyond training (asekha); he is endowed with the right intention of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right speech of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right action of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right livelihood of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right effort of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right mindfulness of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right concentration (samādhi) of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right knowledge (ñāṇa) of one beyond training; he is endowed with the right liberation of one beyond training. Endowed with these ten qualities, Bhaddāli, a bhikkhu is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation with joined palms, an unsurpassed field of merit for the world."
Thus spoke the Blessed One. Satisfied, the venerable Bhaddāli rejoiced in the Blessed One's words.
End of the Bhaddāli Sutta, the fifth.
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The Laṭukikopama Sutta
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.