Numbered Discourses 8.16

2. The Great Chapter

Going on a Mission

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu with eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission. What eight? It’s a bhikkhu who learns and educates others. They memorize and remember. They understand and help others understand. They’re skilled at knowing what’s on topic and what isn’t. And they don’t cause quarrels. A bhikkhu with these eight qualities is worthy of going on a mission.

Having eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission. What eight? He learns and educates others. He memorizes and remembers. He understands and helps others understand. He’s skilled at knowing what’s on topic and what isn’t. And he doesn’t cause quarrels. Having these eight qualities Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission.

They don’t tremble when arriving at an assembly of fierce debaters. They don’t miss out any words, or conceal the instructions.

Their words aren’t poisoned, and they don’t tremble when questioned. Such a bhikkhu is worthy of going on a mission.”