[260] "Bhikkhus, possessed of four factors, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is worthy of a king, fit for a king's use, and is reckoned simply as a factor of a king. What four? Here, bhikkhus, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is accomplished in beauty (vaṇṇa), accomplished in strength, accomplished in speed (java), and accomplished in height and girth (āroha-pariṇāha). Possessed of these four factors, bhikkhus, a king's fine thoroughbred horse is worthy of a king, fit for a king's use, and is reckoned simply as a factor of a king.
"Even so, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu possessed of four qualities is worthy of gifts (āhuneyya) … 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. Thus, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu 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 dhammas and for the acquisition of wholesome dhammas; he is strong, firm in exertion, not shirking the burden with regard to wholesome dhammas. Thus, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in strength.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in speed? Here, bhikkhus, through the destruction of the taints (āsava), a bhikkhu realizes for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind (cetovimutti) and liberation by wisdom (paññāvimutti), and having entered upon it, he dwells therein. Thus, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in speed.
"And how, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in height and girth? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who gains robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Thus, bhikkhus, is a bhikkhu accomplished in height and girth.
"Possessed of 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English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.