Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

Then the Bhagavā addressed the Bhikkhus: “Do you, Bhikkhus see Sāriputta walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?” “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus are of great wisdom.

Do you, Bhikkhus, see Moggallāna walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?” “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus possess great magical power.

Do you see, Bhikkhus, Kassapa walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?” “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus keep strict observances.

Do you see, Bhikkhus, Anuruddha walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?” “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus are endowed with super-human eye.

Do you see, Bhikkhus, Puṇṇamantāniputta walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?” “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus preach the Dhamma.

Do you see, Bhikkhus, Upāli walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?” “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus know the Vinaya by heart.

Do you see, Bhikkhus, Ānanda walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?’’ “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus are of ample learning.

“Do you see, Bhikkhus, Devadatta walking up and down with many Bhikkhus?’’ “Yes, Bhante!” “Bhikkhus, all these Bhikkhus have bad intentions.

Bhikkhus, it is their disposition that beings run together, meet together. Those having low inclination connect together and associate with those having low inclination and intent on evil; those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions connect together and associate with those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions.

Bhikkhus, even in the past, beings used to connect together, meet together through their disposition. Those having low inclination used to connect together and associate with those having low inclination, intent on evil. Those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions used to connect together and associate with those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions.

Even in future, Bhikkhus, beings will run together, meet together through their disposition. Those having low inclination will connect together and associate with those having low inclination, intent on evil. Those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions will connect together and associate with those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions.

Now in the present also, Bhikkhus, beings run together, meet together through their disposition. Those having low inclination connect together and associate with those having low inclination, intent on evil. Those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions connect together and associate with those disposed towards virtue and intent on performing wholesome actions.’’

^*Caṅkamasuttaṃ: caṅkama — walking up and down + suttaṃ