Numbered Discourses 4.181

19. Brahmins

A Warrior

“Bhikkhus, a warrior with four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is considered a factor of kingship. What four? He’s skilled in the basics, a long-distance shooter, a marksman, one who shatters large objects. A warrior with these four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and is considered a factor of kingship.

In the same way, a bhikkhu with four qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What four? He’s skilled in the basics, a long-distance shooter, a marksman, one who shatters large objects.

And how is a bhikkhu skilled in the basics? It’s when a bhikkhu is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken. That’s how a bhikkhu is skilled in the basics.

And how is a bhikkhu a long-distance shooter? It’s when a bhikkhu truly sees any kind of form at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; coarse or fine; inferior or superior; far or near: all form—with right understanding: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ They truly see any kind of feeling … perception … choices … consciousness at all—past, future, or present; internal or external; coarse or fine; inferior or superior; far or near, all consciousness—with right understanding: ‘This is not mine, I am not this, this is not my self.’ That’s how a bhikkhu is a long-distance shooter.

And how is a bhikkhu a marksman? It’s when they truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’. That’s how a bhikkhu is a marksman.

And how does a bhikkhu shatter large objects? It’s when a bhikkhu shatters the great mass of ignorance. That’s how a bhikkhu shatters large objects.

A bhikkhu with these four qualities … is the supreme field of merit for the world.”