First on gladness

Bhikkhus, these six things are for inner gladness. What six?

Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu is established in bodily thoughts of loving kindness [1] towards the co-associates in the holy life, openly and secretly. This is for inner gladness.

Again, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu is established in verbal thoughts of loving kindness [2] towards the co-associates in the holy life, openly and secretly. This is also for inner gladness.

Again, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu is established in mental thoughts of loving kindness [3] towards the co-associates in the holy life, openly and secretly. This is also for inner gladness.

Again, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu does not partake of whatever gains rightfully obtained, so far as what is put in the bowl, without dividing it equally among virtuous co-associates in the holy life. This is also for inner gladness.

Again, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu abides openly and secretly on equal level with co-associates in the holy life, in his virtues that are not broken, defective, spotted, consistent, free from slavery and praised by the wise, as not corrupted, leads to concentration. This is also for inner gladness.

Again, bhikkhus, the bhikkhu abides openly and secretly on equal level with co-associates in the holy life, in the noble view, which logically concluded leads to the rightful ending of unpleasantness. This is also for inner gladness.

Bhikkhus, these six things are for inner gladness.

Notes. [1]. Bodily thoughts of loving kindness. `mettaṃ kāyakammaṃ' In the body are the six doors of mental contact. It is through them that all activity start, such as through seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touch and the mind. [2] When thoughts arise on account of these activities they should be with loving kindness `mettaṃ vacikammaṃ' Thoughts are words. [3] On account of this procedure, there are feelings and perceptions which are related to `mettaṃ manokammaṃ' And those feelings and perceptions should be with loving kindness. Feelings and perceptions are connected with the mind.