[217] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha, in the wanderers' park at the Peacocks' Feeding Ground (Moranivāpa). There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus." "Venerable sir," those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: "Bhikkhus, possessing three qualities, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage (yogakkhema), who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans. Which three? The aggregate of virtue of one beyond training (asekha), the aggregate of concentration (samādhi) of one beyond training, and the aggregate of wisdom of one beyond training. Bhikkhus, possessing these three qualities, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage, who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans.
Possessing three further qualities, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage, who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans. Which three? The marvel of psychic power (iddhi-pāṭihāriya), the marvel of mind-reading (ādesanā-pāṭihāriya), and the marvel of teaching (anusāsanī-pāṭihāriya). Bhikkhus, possessing these three qualities, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage, who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans.
Possessing three further qualities, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage, who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans. Which three? Right view, right knowledge (ñāṇa), and right deliverance. Bhikkhus, possessing these three qualities, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage, who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans.
Possessing two qualities, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage, who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans. Which two? True knowledge (vijjā) and conduct (caraṇa). Bhikkhus, possessing these two qualities, a bhikkhu is one who has reached the ultimate end, who has ultimate security from bondage, who lives the ultimate holy life, who has the ultimate consummation; he is best among devas and humans. Bhikkhus, this verse was spoken by the Brahmā Sanaṅkumāra:
The khattiya is the best among those people
who take clan as their standard;
but one accomplished in true knowledge and conduct
is best among devas and humans.
And that verse, bhikkhus, was well sung by Sanaṅkumāra, not badly sung; well spoken, not badly spoken; connected with benefit, not unconnected with benefit; it is approved by me. I too, bhikkhus, say thus:
The khattiya is the best among those people
who take clan as their standard;
but one accomplished in true knowledge and conduct
is best among devas and humans.
The Nissāya Chapter, the first.
Its summary (uddāna):
Kimatthiyā, Cetanā, the three
on Upanisā, and with Byasana;
Saññā, Manasikāra, Sekha,
and with the Peacocks' Feeding Ground.
The Second Chapter, the second.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.