Reading guide
The same opening, one final time
As in AN 5.236–237, this discourse begins with careless, unexamined praise of those deserving criticism, and careless criticism of those deserving praise — the shared foundation of this entire trio.
Three stinginess items, not two
Where AN 5.237 named stinginess over monasteries and families, this discourse adds a third: stinginess over material things (lābhamacchariya) — continuing this trio's progressive build toward the full classical five-item list.
A quieter closing item than 5.236-237
Unlike its two companions, this discourse's list has five items without needing the separate ‘wasting a gift given in faith’ clause — the two judgment items plus three stinginess items already total five on their own.
A trio's internal logic, now visible in full
Read across all three discourses: AN 5.236 pairs careless judgment with faith-related failures alone; AN 5.237 adds two stinginess items; AN 5.238 adds a third — a genuine progression, not simple repetition, building steadily toward something larger.
What comes next
AN 5.239 and AN 5.240 complete this build-up decisively, dropping the careless-judgment items entirely and presenting the classical five-part stinginess formula on its own terms — the destination this trio has been building toward.
Key terms
The text
Five qualities placed in hell
§1“Mendicants, a resident mendicant with five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What five? Without examining or scrutinizing, they praise those deserving of criticism, and they criticize those deserving of praise. They’re stingy regarding monasteries, families, and material things. A resident mendicant with these five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.
Five qualities placed in heaven
§2A resident mendicant with five qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there. What five? After examining and scrutinizing, they criticize those deserving of criticism, and they praise those deserving of praise. They’re not stingy regarding monasteries, families, and material things. A resident mendicant with these five qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.”
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