[538] Bhikkhus, possessing three factors, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is worthy of a king, fit for a king's use, and is reckoned as a very factor of kingship. What three? Here, bhikkhus, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is accomplished in beauty, accomplished in strength, and accomplished in speed. Possessing these three factors, bhikkhus, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is worthy of a king, fit for a king's use, and is reckoned as a very factor of kingship.
So too, bhikkhus, possessing three qualities a bhikkhu is worthy of gifts … an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. What three? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is accomplished in beauty, accomplished in strength, and accomplished in speed.
And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in beauty? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is virtuous … he trains in the training rules he has undertaken. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is accomplished in beauty.
And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in strength? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu dwells with energy (vīriya) aroused … not shirking the burden with regard to wholesome qualities. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is accomplished in strength.
And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in speed? Here, bhikkhus, with the destruction of the taints (āsava), a bhikkhu realizes for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind and liberation by wisdom, and having entered upon it, he dwells therein. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is accomplished in speed.
Possessing these three qualities, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is worthy of gifts … an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.