[18] Bhikkhus, dwell with a protector (nātha), not without a protector. One without a protector dwells in suffering (dukkha). Bhikkhus, there are these ten qualities that make one a protector. What ten?
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is virtuous … he trains in the training rules he has undertaken. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu is truly virtuous; he dwells restrained by the restraint of the Pātimokkha, accomplished in conduct and resort, seeing danger in the slightest faults; he trains in the training rules he has undertaken," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is learned … well penetrated by view. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu is truly learned, a bearer of what he has heard, an accumulator of what he has heard; those teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the meaning and the phrasing, which proclaim the holy life perfectly complete and pure — such teachings he has learned much of, retained in mind, recited verbally, examined with the mind, and well penetrated by view," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has good friends, good companions, good comrades. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu truly has good friends, good companions, good comrades," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is easy to admonish, endowed with the qualities that make one easy to admonish, patient, receiving instruction respectfully. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu is truly easy to admonish, endowed with the qualities that make one easy to admonish, patient, receiving instruction respectfully," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is skilful and diligent in the various duties, high and low, that are to be done for his fellows in the holy life; he is endowed with investigation into the means suitable for them, able to carry them out, able to arrange them. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu is truly skilful and diligent in the various duties, high and low, that are to be done for his fellows in the holy life; he is endowed with investigation into the means suitable for them, able to carry them out, able to arrange them," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu loves the Dhamma, is pleasant in converse, with abundant gladness in the higher Dhamma and the higher discipline. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu truly loves the Dhamma, is pleasant in converse, with abundant gladness in the higher Dhamma and the higher discipline," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, 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. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu truly dwells with energy 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," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is content with any kind of robe, almsfood, lodging, and medicines and requisites for the sick. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu is truly content with any kind of robe, almsfood, lodging, and medicines and requisites for the sick," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is mindful, endowed with supreme mindfulness (sati) and discretion, one who remembers and recollects what was done and said even long ago. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu is truly mindful, endowed with supreme mindfulness and discretion, one who remembers and recollects what was done and said even long ago," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is wise, endowed with wisdom that discerns rise and fall, which is noble, penetrative, leading to the complete destruction of suffering. [Thinking:] "This bhikkhu is truly wise, endowed with wisdom that discerns rise and fall, which is noble, penetrative, leading to the complete destruction of suffering," the elder bhikkhus think him one worth speaking to and instructing; the bhikkhus of middle standing and the newly ordained bhikkhus, too, think him one worth speaking to and instructing. For him, shown compassion by the elders, shown compassion by those of middle standing, shown compassion by the newly ordained, only growth in wholesome qualities is to be expected, not decline. This too is a quality that makes one a protector.
Bhikkhus, dwell with a protector, not without a protector. One without a protector dwells in suffering. These, bhikkhus, are the ten qualities that make one a protector.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.