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# AN 5:175 · The Outcaste (Caṇḍāla Sutta)
- URL: https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-5-175/
- Published: 2026-06-01T04:04:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-13T17:06:22.000Z
- Description: Aṅguttara Nikāya · AN 5:175. Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.
- Author: Ninth Heaven Literature & Arts Association (NHLAA)
- Tags: Buddhism, Sutta Piṭaka, Text, Indian, The Buddha, Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, Aṅguttara Nikāya, Discourse, Pali, Early Buddhist, Library, #Import 2026-07-06 03:33

*This discourse lists—first in negative and then in positive form—the basic requirements for being a Buddhist lay follower in good standing.*

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“Endowed with these five qualities, a lay follower is an outcaste of a lay follower, a stain of a lay follower, a dregs of a lay follower. Which five? He/she does not have conviction (in the Buddha’s awakening); is unvirtuous; is eager for protective charms & ceremonies; trusts protective charms & ceremonies, not kamma; and searches for recipients of his/her offerings outside (of the Saṅgha), and gives offerings there first. Endowed with these five qualities, a lay follower is an outcaste of a lay follower, a stain of a lay follower, a dregs of a lay follower.

“Endowed with these five qualities, a lay follower is a jewel of a lay follower, a lotus of a lay follower, a fine flower of a lay follower. Which five? He/she has conviction; is virtuous; is not eager for protective charms & ceremonies; trusts kamma, not protective charms & ceremonies; does not search for recipients of his/her offerings outside (of the Saṅgha), and gives offerings here first. Endowed with these five qualities, a lay follower is a jewel of a lay follower, a lotus of a lay follower, a fine flower of a lay follower.”

See also: [SN 3:24](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/sn-3-24/); [AN 5:179](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-5-179/); [AN 8:26](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-8-26/); [AN 8:54](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-8-54/); [AN 10:176](https://www.journal.ninthheaven.co/civilisation/trad-buddhism/an-10-176/)

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*Translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. © 2014 / rev. 2017 Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu — released under the [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) licence, for free distribution only. Source: [dhammatalks.org](https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN5%5F175.html?ref=journal.ninthheaven.co) (Metta Forest Monastery).*