Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

Tatheva pañhaṃ parisāsu pucchito;
Na ceva pajjhāyati¹ na maṅku² hoti;
So kālāgataṃ byākaraṇārahaṃ vaco;
Rañjeti viññūparisaṃ vicakkhaṇo.³

When asked a question amongst an assembly,
He neither hesitates nor feels annoyed,
Timely are his words, skilful his explanation,
A wise assembly gets delighted.

So tādiso sīlavisuddhiyā ṭhito;
Visārado hoti visayha bhāsati;
Nacchambhati parisagato na vedhati;
Atthaṃ na hāpeti⁴ anuyyutaṃ⁵ bhaṇaṃ.⁶

Firm in purity of sīla, unshaken,
Confident and able he does speak,
Without fear before an assembly he doesn’t tremble,
Nor does he sacrifice true meaning being intend upon his exposition.

The Udāyīsutta features the Venerable Udāyi, also known as Mahā Udāyi to distinguish him from others with the same name. Mahā Udāyi was a Brahmin's son from Kapilavatthu and was famous for his speeches. He had a talent for attracting and speaking to large crowds of listeners in an appropriate way.

In this specific sutta, the Venerable Ānanda saw Mahā Udāyi preaching to many householders. When Ānanda told the Buddha about it, the Enlightened One praised five essential qualities that anyone teaching the Dhamma should have.

These are: ‘anupubbiṃ’ - ‘pariyāyadassāvī - ‘anuddayataṃ paṭicca’ - ‘na āmisantaro’ - ‘attānañca parañca anupahacca’.⁷

At another time at Kusinārā the Buddha also highlighted inherent qualities of a Bhikkhu who could be eligible to teach, remind and reproach others. Such a one should be pure in physical conduct (parisuddhakāyasamācāro), faultless in verbal conduct (parisuddhavacīsamācāro), bereft of ill-will and filled with goodwill and compassion towards others (mettaṃ nu kho me cittaṃ paccupaṭṭhitaṃ sabrahmacārīsu anāghātaṃ), well-learned with a strong memory to recall teachings that are suitable and supportive for the spiritual life (bahussuto nu khomhi sutadharo sutasannicayo) and be an expert in explaining the Pātimokkha.⁸

After having designated these five prerequisites the Buddha further concluded with the following five similar attributes that were necessary for a Dhamma teacher:

Katame pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā?⁹

Kālena vakkhāmi,¹⁰ no akālena; bhūtena vakkhāmi, no abhūtena; saṇhena vakkhāmi, no pharusena; atthasaṃhitena vakkhāmi, no anatthasaṃhitena; mettacitto vakkhāmi, no dosantaro’ti – ime pañca dhammā ajjhattaṃ upaṭṭhāpetabbā.¹¹

I will speak at the proper time, not at an unsuitable time; I will speak according to the truth, not to untruth; I will speak in a gentle manner, not harshly; I will utter only what is beneficial, not unprofitable and I will speak with a mind filled with Metta, not while harbouring anger. These are the five qualities that one should put forth.