3.22. Sickness (AN3.22)

“Monks, there are three kinds of sick people found in the world. What three?

“Monks, this is one kind of sick person: whether they get suitable food or not, whether they get suitable medicine or not, whether they get a suitable attendant or not, they will not recover from their illness.

“Monks, this is another kind of sick person: whether they get suitable food or not, whether they get suitable medicine or not, whether they get a suitable attendant or not, they will recover from their illness.

“Monks, this is another kind of sick person: they will only recover from their illness if they get suitable food, suitable medicine, and a suitable attendant.

“In that case, monks, it is because of the sick person who will only recover from their illness if they get suitable food, suitable medicine, and a suitable attendant that it is advisable to arrange proper food, medicine, and an attendant for sick people. However, monks, because of this kind of sick person, one should also look after the other kinds of sick people.

“Monks, these are the three kinds of sick people found in the world.

“In the same way, monks, there are three kinds of people found in the world who are like sick people. What three?

“Monks, this is one kind of person: whether they get to see the Tathāgata or not, whether they get to hear the teachings and trainings taught by the Tathāgata or not, they will not progress reliably and correctly in goodness.

“Monks, this is another kind of person: whether they get to see the Tathāgata or not, whether they get to hear the teachings and trainings taught by the Tathāgata or not, they will progress reliably and correctly in goodness.

“Monks, this is another kind of person: they will only progress reliably and correctly in goodness if they get to see the Tathāgata and to hear the teachings and trainings taught by the Tathāgata.

“In that case, monks, it is because of the person who will only progress reliably and correctly in goodness if they get to see the Tathāgata and to hear the teachings and trainings taught by the Tathāgata that it is advisable to teach the Dhamma. However, monks, because of this kind of person, one should also teach the Dhamma to the other kinds of people.

“Monks, these are the three kinds of people found in the world who are like sick people.”

Translated by: Suddhāso Bhikkhu, (2020)

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Aminah Borg-Luck.