17.

Commentary on the Confidence-Inspiring Quality Chapter

366. In the passage beginning with "This is certain" and so on, "certain" is a designation for definiteness; "this is certain among material gains, this is definite among material gains" is what is meant. "Namely being a forest-dweller" means that state of being a forest-dweller. This is what is meant - The state of being a forest-dweller is indeed definite among material gains, being inevitable; it is not possible for a forest-dweller not to obtain material gain. For a forest-dwelling monk does not do anything evil, thinking "I shall act in a manner befitting my dwelling in the forest," and then the great multitude, having developed respect for him, thinking "This monk is a forest-dweller," makes offerings to him with the four requisites. Therefore it was said - "This is certain, monks, among material gains, namely being a forest-dweller." The same method applies to the remaining terms as well. Here, however, "great learning" means the state of being very learned. "Seniority" means the state of having attained stability due to having long since gone forth. "Accomplishment in deportment" means the success of deportment in the wearing of robes and so on. "Accomplishment in retinue" means having a pure retinue. "Being of good family" means the state of being a son of good family. "Beauty of complexion" means accomplished beauty of form. "Pleasantness of speech" means the sweetness of verbal expression. "Freedom from illness" means the achievement of health. For a healthy monk, by virtue of the well-being of his own body, is one who fulfils both the charge of insight and the charge of scriptural study, and therefore material gain arises for him.

The sixteen confidence-inspiring factors are concluded.