3.4.13 Udāyīsuttaṃ – How Dhamma Should be Taught!*

Thus has been heard by me. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kosambi, in Ghosita‘s park. At this time the Venerable Udāyī was sitting, surrounded by a large assembly of householders and teaching Dhamma to them. The Venerable Ānanda saw the Venerable Udāyī sitting, surrounded by a large assembly of householders and teaching Dhamma to them. Having seen this, the Venerable Ānanda approached the Bhagavā, having approached the Bhagavā he sat down at one side. Having sat at one side the Venerable Ānanda addressed the Bhagavā thus: “Bhante, the Venerable Udāyī is surrounded by a large assembly of householders and teaching Dhamma to them.”

“It is, Ānanda, not easy to teach Dhamma to others. Teaching Dhamma to others, Ānanda, requires five qualities to arise within him while he is teaching Dhamma. What are these five?

Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say in progressive order.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say with expositions.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say out of compassion.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say with no interest for any gain.”
Dhamma should be taught to others with the thought: “I shall say what I want to say without hurting myself or any others.”

“It is, Ānanda, not easy to teach Dhamma to others. Teaching Dhamma to others, Ānanda, requires these five qualities to arise within him while he is teaching Dhamma.
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* Udāyīsuttaṃ: Udāyī + suttaṃ
Last modified: Monday, 14 December 2015, 8:31 AM