1"Bhikkhus, possessing eight qualities, a bhikkhu is worthy of going on a mission. What eight?

"Here, (1) –(2) a bhikkhu is one who listens and makes others listen; (3) –(4) he is one who learns well and makes others learn; (5) –(6) he is one who understands and communicates well; (7) he is skilled in (knowing) what is relevant and what irrelevant; and (8) he does not foment quarrels. Possessing these eight qualities, a bhikkhu is worthy of going on a mission.

"Bhikkhus, possessing eight qualities, Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission. What eight?

"Here, Sāriputta is one who listens and who makes others listen … he does not foment quarrels. Possessing these eight qualities, Sāriputta is worthy of going on a mission."

2One who does not tremble when he arrives
at an assembly with fierce debaters;
who does not omit words
or conceal his message;

3who speaks without hesitation,
and does not waver when asked a question;
a bhikkhu like this is worthy
of going on a mission.

1"Aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati. Katamehi aṭṭhahi?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sotā ca hoti, sāvetā ca, uggahetā ca, dhāretā ca, viññātā ca, viññāpetā ca, kusalo ca sahitāsahitassa, no ca kalahakārako – imehi kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati.

Aṭṭhahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto dūteyyaṁ gantumarahati. Katamehi aṭṭhahi?

Idha, bhikkhave, sāriputto sotā ca hoti, sāvetā ca, uggahetā ca, dhāretā ca, viññātā ca, viññāpetā ca, kusalo ca sahitāsahitassa, no ca kalahakārako. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahi dhammehi samannāgato sāriputto dūteyyaṁ gantumarahatīti.

2Yo ve na byathati patvā,
parisaṁ uggavādiniṁ;
Na ca hāpeti vacanaṁ,
na ca chādeti sāsanaṁ.

3Asandiddhañca bhaṇati,
Pucchito na ca kuppati;
Sa ve tādisako bhikkhu,
Dūteyyaṁ gantumarahatī"ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.