The Quality of Those Who Asks

Then, the Buddha praised and said: "Well said, well said, oh good man! There are two types of people in the world, who are as rare as the udumbara. One is the person who does not commit evil deeds; and the second is the person who thoroughly confesses when has sinned. Such people are extremely rare. There are two further types of people. One benefits others; the other remembers well the benefits he received. Furthermore, there are two kinds of people. One accepts new rules (of conduct); and the other looks back to what happened, and does not forget. Also, there are two further types of people. One does what is new; and the other practices what is old. Also, there are two other types of people. One feels pleasure in giving ear to Dharma; and the other delights in talking about the Dharma. Also, there are two further types of people. One asks about what is difficult; and the other answers well. You're the kind of person who asks well about what is difficult; the Tathagata is one who answers well. Oh, good man! Through these questions well placed, there can be the turning of the Wheel of Dharma, the killing of the great tree of the 12 links of causation, the passage of people across the vast ocean of birth and death, the good fight against the King Marapapiyas, and the overthrow of victorious banner of Papiyas.”

Nirvana Sutra, Chapter 32, on the Bodhisattva Highly-Virtuous King 6.

the quality of those who asks.mp3