Paṭisambhidāpattasutta — Theravagga — the ninth chapter of the Fives
Setting
None stated; the discourse continues from AN 5.1, whose setting at Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove is understood to hold
Speakers
The Buddha alone, addressing the mendicants
Form
a single five-item positive list, with no paired negative counterpart
Length
~1 minute to read
Northern parallel
not identified in this collection
Difficulty
★★☆☆☆ — introduces a specialized, fourfold analytical vocabulary
Why this discourse
The first break in this chapter's paired-list pattern: only a single positive list is given, pairing the four traditional kinds of textual and analytical mastery (paṭisambhidā) with a wholly practical quality — being deft and tireless in the diverse, ordinary chores of communal monastic life.
Reading guide
A break in the pattern
Unlike AN 5.81–85's paired unlikable-and-beloved lists, this discourse offers only a single list, describing what makes a senior mendicant dear and beloved. No negative counterpart is given here.
The four paṭisambhidā, named
Attha (meaning), dhamma (the text or teaching itself), nirutti (language, etymology, precise definition), and paṭibhāna (eloquence, inventive responsiveness) — four analytical competencies traditionally associated with fully accomplished disciples of the teaching.
Practical competence alongside analytical mastery
The discourse pairs these four scholarly attainments with something entirely practical: being deft and tireless across a diverse spectrum of duties for one's spiritual companions, understanding how to organize and complete communal work.
Why both together
The pairing implies that being well-regarded depends on more than doctrinal mastery alone; practical helpfulness in the ordinary work of communal life matters just as much as command of the teaching's finer analytical points.
A standard analytical fourfold
The four paṭisambhidā are a recognized, standard analytical scheme used elsewhere in the canon to describe the fullest kind of doctrinal mastery; this discourse does not elaborate further on what distinguishes each of the four beyond naming them.
What comes next
AN 5.87 continues the single-list pattern with an even fuller positive portrait, culminating in complete liberation.
Key terms
paṭisambhidā — the fourfold textual and analytical mastery named at the head of this discourse's list.
attha — “meaning” — the first of the four paṭisambhidā.
nirutti — “language, etymology, precise definition” — the third.
paṭibhāna — “eloquence, inventive responsiveness” — the fourth.
dakkha — “deft, skilled” — describing this discourse's practical-competence half of the list.
The text
The discourse in full: fourfold textual mastery paired with practical competence in communal duties. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
Dear and beloved
§1“A senior mendicant with five qualities is dear and beloved to their spiritual companions, respected and admired. What five? They have attained the textual analysis of meaning, text, definition, and eloquence. And they are deft and tireless in a diverse spectrum of duties for their spiritual companions, understanding how to go about things in order to complete and organize the work. A senior mendicant with these five qualities is dear and beloved to their spiritual companions, respected and admired.”
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Self-check quiz
Ten questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.
Question 1 of 10
What breaks in this discourse, unlike AN 5.81–85?
Correct: B. The first single-list discourse in this chapter.
Question 2 of 10
How many kinds of textual analysis (paṭisambhidā) are named?
Correct: C. Attha, dhamma, nirutti, paṭibhāna.
Question 3 of 10
What does 'attha' mean, as the first paṭisambhidā?
Correct: A. The first of the four.
Question 4 of 10
What does 'nirutti' mean?
Correct: B. The third of the four paṭisambhidā.
Question 5 of 10
What does 'paṭibhāna' mean?
Correct: A. The fourth and final paṭisambhidā.
Question 6 of 10
What practical quality is paired with these four analytical attainments?
Correct: A. Practical helpfulness alongside doctrinal mastery.
Question 7 of 10
What does this pairing suggest about what makes a senior mendicant well-regarded?
Correct: B. Both scholarly and practical competence named together.
Question 8 of 10
Is a negative, unlikable counterpart given in this discourse?
Correct: B. This discourse offers only the single positive list.
Question 9 of 10
What common closing formula does this discourse still share with AN 5.81–85?
Correct: B. The verdict formula persists even without a paired negative list.
Question 10 of 10
What does AN 5.87 add to this discourse's pattern?
Correct: B. Continuing the single-list pattern with a longer, culminating portrait.
