So I have heard. Evaṁ me sutaṁ—At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “Mendicants!” “bhikkhavo”ti.

“Venerable sir,” they replied. “Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. The Buddha said this: Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Mendicants, a cowherd with eleven factors can’t maintain and expand a herd of cattle. “Ekādasahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako abhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. What eleven? Katamehi ekādasahi? It’s when a cowherd doesn’t know form, is unskilled in characteristics, doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs, doesn’t dress wounds, doesn’t spread smoke, doesn’t know the ford, doesn’t know satisfaction, doesn’t know the trail, is not skilled in ranges, milks dry, and doesn’t show extra respect to the bulls who are fathers and captains of the herd. Idha, bhikkhave, gopālako na rūpaññū hoti, na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, na titthaṁ jānāti, na pītaṁ jānāti, na vīthiṁ jānāti, na gocarakusalo hoti anavasesadohī ca hoti. Ye te usabhā gopitaro gopariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti. A cowherd with these eleven factors can’t maintain and expand a herd of cattle. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako abhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

In the same way, a mendicant with eleven qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training. Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. What eleven? Katamehi ekādasahi? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t know form, is unskilled in characteristics, doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs, doesn’t dress wounds, doesn’t spread smoke, doesn’t know the ford, doesn’t know satisfaction, doesn’t know the trail, is not skilled in ranges, milks dry, and doesn’t show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na rūpaññū hoti, na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, na titthaṁ jānāti, na pītaṁ jānāti, na vīthiṁ jānāti, na gocarakusalo hoti, anavasesadohī ca hoti. Ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.

And how does a mendicant not know form? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na rūpaññū hoti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand that all form is the four principal states, or form derived from the four principal states. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yaṁ kiñci rūpaṁ sabbaṁ rūpaṁ ‘cattāri mahābhūtāni, catunnañca mahābhūtānaṁ upādāyarūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know form. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na rūpaññū hoti.

And how is a mendicant not skilled in characteristics? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t understand that a fool is characterized by their deeds, and an astute person is characterized by their deeds. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘kammalakkhaṇo bālo, kammalakkhaṇo paṇḍito’ti yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. That’s how a mendicant isn’t skilled in characteristics. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na lakkhaṇakusalo hoti.

And how does a mendicant not pick out flies’ eggs? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti? It’s when a mendicant tolerates a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought that has arisen. They tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen. They don’t give them up, get rid of them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannaṁ kāmavitakkaṁ adhivāseti, nappajahati na vinodeti na byantī karoti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. Uppannaṁ byāpādavitakkaṁ …pe… uppannaṁ vihiṁsāvitakkaṁ …pe… uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme adhivāseti, nappajahati na vinodeti na byantī karoti na anabhāvaṁ gameti. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t pick out flies’ eggs. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti.

And how does a mendicant not dress wounds? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti? When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they get caught up in the features and details. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā nimittaggāhī hoti anubyañjanaggāhī. Since the faculty of sight is left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure become overwhelming. They don’t practice restraint, they don’t protect the faculty of sight, and they don’t achieve its restraint. Yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ cakkhundriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ, tassa saṁvarāya na paṭipajjati, na rakkhati cakkhundriyaṁ, cakkhundriye na saṁvaraṁ āpajjati. When they hear a sound with their ears … Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …pe… smell an odor with their nose … ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …pe… taste a flavor with their tongue … jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …pe… feel a touch with their body … kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …pe… know an idea with their mind, they get caught up in the features and details. manasā dhammaṁ viññāya nimittaggāhī hoti anubyañjanaggāhī. Since the faculty of the mind is left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure become overwhelming. They don’t practice restraint, they don’t protect the faculty of the mind, and they don’t achieve its restraint. Yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ manindriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ, tassa saṁvarāya na paṭipajjati, na rakkhati manindriyaṁ, manindriye na saṁvaraṁ āpajjati. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t dress wounds. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti.

And how does a mendicant not spread smoke? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t teach others the Dhamma in detail as they learned and memorized it. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ na vitthārena paresaṁ desetā hoti. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t spread smoke. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na dhūmaṁ kattā hoti.

And how does a mendicant not know the ford? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na titthaṁ jānāti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t from time to time go up to those mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and ask them questions: Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā, te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā na paripucchati, na paripañhati: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ? What does that mean?’ Imassa ko attho’ti? Those venerables don’t reveal what is hidden, clarify what is unclear, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters. Tassa te āyasmanto avivaṭañceva na vivaranti, anuttānīkatañca na uttānīkaronti, anekavihitesu ca kaṅkhāṭhānīyesu dhammesu kaṅkhaṁ na paṭivinodenti. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know the ford. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na titthaṁ jānāti.

And how does a mendicant not know satisfaction? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na pītaṁ jānāti? It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds no inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds no joy connected with the teaching. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne na labhati atthavedaṁ, na labhati dhammavedaṁ, na labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know satisfaction. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na pītaṁ jānāti.

And how does a mendicant not know the trail? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vīthiṁ jānāti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the noble eightfold path. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t know the trail. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na vīthiṁ jānāti.

And how is a mendicant not skilled in ranges? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na gocarakusalo hoti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t truly understand the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne yathābhūtaṁ nappajānāti. That’s how a mendicant is not skilled in ranges. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na gocarakusalo hoti.

And how does a mendicant milk dry? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anavasesadohī hoti? It’s when a mendicant is invited by a householder to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, and that mendicant doesn’t know moderation in accepting. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ saddhā gahapatikā abhihaṭṭhuṁ pavārenti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi, tatra bhikkhu mattaṁ na jānāti paṭiggahaṇāya. That’s how a mendicant milks dry. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu anavasesadohī hoti.

And how does a mendicant not show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t consistently treat senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, tesu na mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca; na mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca; na mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te na atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.

A mendicant with these eleven qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ.

A cowherd with eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle. Ekādasahi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako bhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. What eleven? Katamehi ekādasahi? It’s when a cowherd knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in ranges, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to the bulls who are fathers and captains of the herd. Idha, bhikkhave, gopālako rūpaññū hoti, lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, titthaṁ jānāti, pītaṁ jānāti, vīthiṁ jānāti, gocarakusalo hoti, sāvasesadohī ca hoti. Ye te usabhā gopitaro gopariṇāyakā te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti. A cowherd with these eleven factors can maintain and expand a herd of cattle. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi aṅgehi samannāgato gopālako bhabbo gogaṇaṁ pariharituṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

In the same way, a mendicant with eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training. Evameva kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. What eleven? Katamehi ekādasahi? It’s when a mendicant knows form, is skilled in characteristics, picks out flies’ eggs, dresses wounds, spreads smoke, knows the ford, knows satisfaction, knows the trail, is skilled in ranges, doesn’t milk dry, and shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaññū hoti, lakkhaṇakusalo hoti, āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti, vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti, dhūmaṁ kattā hoti, titthaṁ jānāti, pītaṁ jānāti, vīthiṁ jānāti, gocarakusalo hoti, sāvasesadohī ca hoti. Ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.

And how does a mendicant know form? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaññū hoti? It’s when a mendicant truly understands that all form is the four principal states, or form derived from the four principal states. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yaṁ kiñci rūpaṁ sabbaṁ rūpaṁ ‘cattāri mahābhūtāni, catunnañca mahābhūtānaṁ upādāyarūpan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. That’s how a mendicant knows form. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpaññū hoti.

And how is a mendicant skilled in characteristics? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu lakkhaṇakusalo hoti? It’s when a mendicant understands that a fool is characterized by their deeds, and an astute person is characterized by their deeds. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kammalakkhaṇo bālo, kammalakkhaṇo paṇḍitoti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. That’s how a mendicant is skilled in characteristics. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu lakkhaṇakusalo hoti.

And how does a mendicant pick out flies’ eggs? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t tolerate a sensual, malicious, or cruel thought that has arisen. They don’t tolerate any bad, unskillful qualities that have arisen, but give them up, get rid of them, eliminate them, and obliterate them. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu uppannaṁ kāmavitakkaṁ nādhivāseti, pajahati vinodeti byantī karoti anabhāvaṁ gameti. Uppannaṁ byāpādavitakkaṁ …pe… uppannaṁ vihiṁsāvitakkaṁ …pe… uppannuppanne pāpake akusale dhamme nādhivāseti, pajahati vinodeti byantī karoti anabhāvaṁ gameti. That’s how a mendicant picks out flies’ eggs. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āsāṭikaṁ hāretā hoti.

And how does a mendicant dress wounds? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti? When a mendicant sees a sight with their eyes, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā na nimittaggāhī hoti nānubyañjanaggāhī. If the faculty of sight were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of sight, and achieving its restraint. Yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ cakkhundriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ tassa saṁvarāya paṭipajjati, rakkhati cakkhundriyaṁ, cakkhundriye saṁvaraṁ āpajjati. When they hear a sound with their ears … Sotena saddaṁ sutvā …pe… smell an odor with their nose … ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā …pe… taste a flavor with their tongue … jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā …pe… feel a touch with their body … kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā …pe… know an idea with their mind, they don’t get caught up in the features and details. manasā dhammaṁ viññāya na nimittaggāhī hoti nānubyañjanaggāhī. If the faculty of mind were left unrestrained, bad unskillful qualities of covetousness and displeasure would become overwhelming. For this reason, they practice restraint, protecting the faculty of mind, and achieving its restraint. Yatvādhikaraṇamenaṁ manindriyaṁ asaṁvutaṁ viharantaṁ abhijjhādomanassā pāpakā akusalā dhammā anvāssaveyyuṁ tassa saṁvarāya paṭipajjati, rakkhati manindriyaṁ, manindriye saṁvaraṁ āpajjati. That’s how a mendicant dresses wounds. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vaṇaṁ paṭicchādetā hoti.

And how does a mendicant spread smoke? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhūmaṁ kattā hoti? It’s when a mendicant teaches others the Dhamma in detail as they learned and memorized it. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ desetā hoti. That’s how a mendicant spreads smoke. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhūmaṁ kattā hoti.

And how does a mendicant know the ford? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti? It’s when from time to time a mendicant goes up to those mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—and asks them questions: Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā te kālena kālaṁ upasaṅkamitvā paripucchati, paripañhati: ‘Why, sir, does it say this? ‘idaṁ, bhante, kathaṁ? What does that mean?’ Imassa ko attho’ti? Those venerables reveal what is hidden, clarify what is unclear, and dispel doubt regarding the many doubtful matters. Tassa te āyasmanto avivaṭañceva vivaranti, anuttānīkatañca uttānīkaronti, anekavihitesu ca kaṅkhāṭhānīyesu dhammesu kaṅkhaṁ paṭivinodenti. That’s how a mendicant knows the ford. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu titthaṁ jānāti.

And how does a mendicant know satisfaction? Kathañca bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītaṁ jānāti? It’s when a mendicant, when the teaching and training proclaimed by the Realized One are being taught, finds inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds joy connected with the teaching. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu tathāgatappavedite dhammavinaye desiyamāne labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ. That’s how a mendicant knows satisfaction. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītaṁ jānāti.

And how does a mendicant know the trail? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīthiṁ jānāti? It’s when a mendicant truly understands the noble eightfold path. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. That’s how a mendicant knows the trail. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vīthiṁ jānāti.

And how is a mendicant skilled in ranges? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gocarakusalo hoti? It’s when a mendicant truly understands the four kinds of mindfulness meditation. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cattāro satipaṭṭhāne yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti. That’s how a mendicant is skilled in ranges. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu gocarakusalo hoti.

And how does a mendicant not milk dry? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sāvasesadohī hoti? It’s when a mendicant is invited by a householder to accept robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick, Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuṁ saddhā gahapatikā abhihaṭṭhuṁ pavārenti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārehi. and that mendicant knows moderation in accepting. Tatra bhikkhu mattaṁ jānāti paṭiggahaṇāya. That’s how a mendicant doesn’t milk dry. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sāvasesadohī hoti.

And how does a mendicant show extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha? Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā, te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti? It’s when a mendicant consistently treats senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha with kindness by way of body, speech, and mind, both in public and in private. Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā tesu mettaṁ kāyakammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca; mettaṁ vacīkammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca; mettaṁ manokammaṁ paccupaṭṭhāpeti āvi ceva raho ca. That’s how a mendicant shows extra respect to senior mendicants of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ye te bhikkhū therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā saṅghapitaro saṅghapariṇāyakā te atirekapūjāya pūjetā hoti.

A mendicant with these eleven qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.” Imehi kho, bhikkhave, ekādasahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjitun”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. Idamavoca bhagavā. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

Mahāgopālakasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ tatiyaṁ.