[259] Bhikkhus, possessing four factors, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is worthy of a king, fit for a king's use, and is reckoned as a factor of a king. What four? Here, bhikkhus, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is accomplished in beauty, accomplished in strength, accomplished in speed, and accomplished in height and girth. Possessing these four factors, bhikkhus, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is worthy of a king, fit for a king's use, and is reckoned as a factor of a king.
Just so, bhikkhus, possessing four qualities a bhikkhu is worthy of gifts … an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. What four? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is accomplished in beauty, accomplished in strength, accomplished in speed, and accomplished in height and girth.
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 thus, 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 for the abandoning of unwholesome qualities and the acquiring of wholesome qualities; he is strong, firm in exertion, not shirking the responsibility with regard to wholesome qualities. It is thus, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is accomplished in strength.
And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in speed? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu understands as it really is (yathābhūta): 'This is suffering (dukkha)' … he understands as it really is: 'This is the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering.' It is thus, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is accomplished in speed.
And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in height and girth? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who gains robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. It is thus, bhikkhus, that a bhikkhu is accomplished in height and girth.
Possessing these four 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English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.