The Related Suttas Collection 22.116

12. A Dhamma speaker

A Dhamma speaker (2nd)

At Sāvatthī.

Seated to one side, that bhikkhu said to the Buddha:

“Sir, they speak of a ‘Dhamma speaker’. How is a Dhamma speaker defined? How is a bhikkhu who practices in line with the teaching defined? And how is a bhikkhu who has attained Nibbana in this very life defined?”

“Bhikkhu, if a bhikkhu teaches Dhamma for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding form, they’re qualified to be called a ‘bhikkhu who speaks on Dhamma’.

If they practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding form, they’re qualified to be called a ‘bhikkhu who practices in line with the teaching’.

If they’re freed by not grasping by disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding form, they’re qualified to be called a ‘bhikkhu who has attained Nibbana in this very life’.

If a bhikkhu teaches Dhamma for disillusionment with feeling … perception … choices … consciousness, for its fading away and cessation, they’re qualified to be called a ‘bhikkhu who speaks on Dhamma’.

If they practice for disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding consciousness, they’re qualified to be called a ‘bhikkhu who practices in line with the teaching’.

If they’re freed by not grasping by disillusionment, dispassion, and cessation regarding consciousness, they’re qualified to be called a ‘bhikkhu who has attained Nibbana in this very life’.”