Overview
A resident monk (āvāsiko bhikkhu) is a monk who lives at a monastery. The Āvāsika Sutta (AN 5.231), the first sutta of the Āvāsika Vagga, gives five qualities by which such a monk is to be esteemed (bhāvanīyo), and the five opposite qualities by which he is not. The suttas that follow in the same chapter give other sets of five for a resident monk.
The List
- Ākappasampanno hoti vattasampanno - Accomplished in deportment and in his duties. The Manorathapūraṇī explains ākappasampanno as “accomplished in the deportment of a recluse” (samaṇākappena sampanno).
- Bahussuto hoti sutadharo - Learned, and one who retains what he has learned.
- Paṭisallekhitā hoti paṭisallānārāmo - One who effaces the defilements, and who delights in seclusion.
- Kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo - A good speaker, with a pleasing delivery.
- Paññavā hoti ajaḷo aneḷamūgo - Wise, not dull and not stupid.
Quote
“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu bhāvanīyo hoti. Katamehi pañcahi? Ākappasampanno hoti vattasampanno; bahussuto hoti sutadharo; paṭisallekhitā hoti paṭisallānārāmo; kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo; paññavā hoti ajaḷo aneḷamūgo. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato āvāsiko bhikkhu bhāvanīyo hotī” ti.
“Mendicants, a resident monk possessed of five qualities is esteemed. Which five? He is accomplished in appearance and accomplished in conduct; he is learned and a memorizer of what he has learned; he is one who eradicates defilements and delights in seclusion; he is a good speaker and of pleasing delivery; he is wise, bright, and clever. Mendicants, a resident monk possessed of these five qualities is esteemed.”— Aṅguttara Nikāya (AN 5.231, Āvāsika Sutta) · TPR
Textual References
- Canonical: Āvāsika Sutta (AN 5.231) – Five qualities by which a resident monk is esteemed, and five by which he is not. The next suttas in the Āvāsika Vagga give further sets of five: by which a resident monk is dear to his fellow monks (AN 5.232, Piya Sutta), and by which he graces the monastery (AN 5.233, Sobhana Sutta).
- Commentary: Manorathapūraṇī (Mp-v 473) – Explains ākappasampanno as samaṇākappena sampanno, and abhāvanīyo as vaḍḍhanīyo na hoti.