What are the expectations of monks?

These three people are evident in the world and in the same manner three persons are evident among the Bhikkhus. The one who has no desires to attain it, the one who hopes to attain it, and the one who has fulfilled his desires.


Ven. Maharambewewe palitha



There is a valuable Dhamma discourse of the Buddha in Rathakara vagga, Thikanipata of Anguttara nikaya. The name of the discourse is Nirasa. Here the Buddha points out three categories of people in society which are similar to the monk community (nirasa, asansana, vigatasa). According to the sutta the three categories of people are as follows;

There are three kinds of people in the world:


1. Nirasa - the one who has no desires to attain it,

2. Asansa - the one who hopes to attain it, and

3. Vigatasa - the one who has fulfilled his desires.

Which person has no desires to attain it? A certain person is born in a low clan, in the family of an out caste, a hunter, a basket weaver, a chariot maker, a garbage collector or in a poor family, obtaining his eatables and drinks with difficulty. He too hasn’t pleasant looks, is deformed, has many ailments, is blind, paralysed, lame or crippled and obtains eatables, drinks, clothes, flowers and scents beds, lodgings, and lighting with difficulty. Then he hears, a certain person of warrior clan is made the head anointed warrior king. Hearing this it does not occur to him - oh! When will I be the head anointed warrior king. This is the person who has no desires for it.

Who is the person who hopes to attain it? Here the eldest son of the head anointed warrior king, who is not anointed and has come of age hears a certain person of warrior clan is made the head anointed warrior king.

Hearing this it occurs to him - oh! When will I be the head anointed warrior king. This is the person who has desires to attain it.

Who is the person who has fulfilled his desires? Here the head anointed warrior king hears a certain person of warrior clan is made the head anointed warrior king.

Hearing this it does not occur to him - oh! When will I be the head anointed warrior king. This is the person who has fulfilled his desires.

Then the Buddha preaches the three categories of monk community similar to three individuals mentioned above are as follows:

These three people are evident in the world and in the same manner three persons are evident among the Bhikkhus. The one who has no desires to attain it, the one who hopes to attain it, and the one who has fulfilled his desires.


1. The Bhikkhu who has no desire to attain it (nirasa)

Which person has no desires to attain it? A certain person is not virtuous, with very low thoughts, secret activity and evil conduct, having promised to lead the holy life, he abides doing the evil activities. He hears: The Bhikkhus of this name having destroyed desires, released his mind from desires, released through wisdom, abides here and now having realised it. It does not occur to him: oh! When shall I destroy desires, attain the release of mind, the release through wisdom by myself realising, abide here and now? This person has no desires to attain it.


2. The bhikkhu who has hope to attain it. (asansa)

Which person has desires to attain it? A certain person is virtuous, with good conduct, and leads the holy life. He hears: The Bhikkhus of this name having destroyed desires, released his mind from desires, released through wisdom, abides here and now having realised it.

It occurs to him: oh! When shall I destroy desires, attain the release of mind, the release through wisdom and by myself realising, abide here and now? This person has hopes to attain it.


3. The Bhikkhu who has fulfilled his desires. (vigatasa)

Which person has fulfilled his desires? A certain person is a worthy one. He has destroyed his desires.

He hears: The Bhikkhus of this name having destroyed desires, released his mind from desires, released through wisdom, abides here and now having realised it. It does not occur to him: oh! When shall I destroy desires, attain the release of mind, the release through wisdom by myself realising, abide here and now? What is the reason? Earlier he was not released, now he is released and his desires are fulfilled. This person has fulfilled his desires. These three people are evident in the world. Make an island for yourself! - Strive hard and become wish!