[70] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now on that occasion a number of bhikkhus, having returned from the alms round after the meal, were sitting assembled together in the attendance hall, engaged in various kinds of pointless talk (tiracchānakathā), that is: talk of kings, talk of thieves, talk of great ministers … talk of becoming thus and otherwise, in this way and that.
Then the Blessed One, emerging from seclusion in the evening, approached the attendance hall; having approached, he sat down on the seat prepared, and having sat down, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, for what talk are you sitting together here now? And what was the conversation of yours that was left unfinished?"
"Here, venerable sir, having returned from the alms round after the meal, we sat assembled together in the attendance hall, engaged in various kinds of pointless talk, that is: talk of kings, talk of thieves … talk of becoming thus and otherwise, in this way and that."
"Bhikkhus, it is not fitting for you, clansmen who have gone forth out of faith from the home life into homelessness, that you dwell engaged in various kinds of pointless talk, that is: talk of kings … talk of becoming thus and otherwise, in this way and that.
"Bhikkhus, there are these ten grounds worthy of praise. What ten? Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is himself of few wishes and gives talk on fewness of wishes to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu of few wishes, and a giver of talk on fewness of wishes to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself content and gives talk on contentment to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu who is content, and a giver of talk on contentment to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself secluded and gives talk on seclusion to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu who is secluded, and a giver of talk on seclusion to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself unentangled and gives talk on non-entanglement to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu who is unentangled, and a giver of talk on non-entanglement to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself of aroused energy and gives talk on the arousing of energy to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu of aroused energy, and a giver of talk on the arousing of energy to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself accomplished in virtue and gives talk on accomplishment in virtue to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu accomplished in virtue, and a giver of talk on accomplishment in virtue to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself accomplished in concentration (samādhi) and gives talk on accomplishment in concentration to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu accomplished in concentration, and a giver of talk on accomplishment in concentration to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself accomplished in wisdom and gives talk on accomplishment in wisdom to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu accomplished in wisdom, and a giver of talk on accomplishment in wisdom to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself accomplished in liberation and gives talk on accomplishment in liberation to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu accomplished in liberation, and a giver of talk on accomplishment in liberation to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"He is himself accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation and gives talk on accomplishment in the knowledge and vision of liberation to the bhikkhus. 'A bhikkhu accomplished in the knowledge and vision of liberation, and a giver of talk on accomplishment in the knowledge and vision of liberation to the bhikkhus' — this is a ground worthy of praise.
"These, bhikkhus, are the ten grounds worthy of praise."
The Second Chapter: The Pairs (Yamakavagga).
Its summary verse:
Ignorance, craving, and consummation, perfect confidence, and the two on happiness;
The two connected with Naḷakapāna, and two further on the topics of talk.
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The Third Chapter: Wishes (Ākaṅkhavagga)
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.