AN 3.140 - Assakhaḷuṅka Sutta (Wild Colts)
Translated by Bhikkhu Candana
Source: https://www.mindreleased.com/s/Book-3_Anguttara-Nikya-A-New-Translation.pdf#page=269
License: Candana — free distribution, unaltered contents
Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana, 2020, 2026. Free distribution only; do not alter the contents. The original book, including its complete permission notice, accompanies this text.
Candana source labels: 139. Site text ID: AN 3.140.

139. Assakhaḷuṅka Sutta (Wild Colts) “Bhikkhus, I will teach you about the three types of wild colts, and their similarity to the three types of stubborn people, who are like wild colts themselves. Now, listen and attend carefully.”

“Yes, Bhante!” The Bhikkhus replied.

And The Blessed One continued instructing:

“And what, Bhikkhus, are the three types of wild colts?”

“Here, Bhikkhus, a certain wild colt possesses speed, but lacks both the beauty and the necessary correct proportions. Another type of wild colt, Bhikkhus, possesses both speed and beauty, but lacks the necessary correct proportions. Yet another wild colt, Bhikkhus, possesses speed, beauty, and the necessary correct proportions.

“Bhikkhus, these are the three types of wild colts.

“And what, Bhikkhus, are the three types of stubborn people, who are like wild colts?

“Here, Bhikkhus, a certain type of stubborn person, being like a wild colt, possesses speed, but lacks both the beauty and the necessary correct proportions. Another type of stubborn person, Bhikkhus, possesses both speed and beauty, but lacks the necessary correct proportions. Yet another stubborn person, Bhikkhus, possesses speed, beauty, and the necessary correct proportions.

a. “And who, Bhikkhus, is the type of stubborn person who, being like a wild colt, possesses speed, but lacks both the beauty and the necessary correct proportions?

“Here, Bhikkhus, a certain Bhikkhu knows and understands as it really is:

‘This is suffering; this is the cause of suffering; this is the ending of suffering; and this is the Path leading to the ending of all suffering.’

“Bhikkhus, I say that this is his speed.

“However, if a deeper question on The Dhamma or The Discipline is to be asked of him, he becomes bewildered and angry, unable to answer. Bhikkhus, I say that this is his lack of beauty.

“Also, such a Bhikkhu does not obtain robes, alms food, shelter, as well as the necessary medicinal requisites whenever he falls sick. Bhikkhus, I say that this is his lack of necessary correct proportions.

“Bhikkhus, this is the type of stubborn person who, being like a wild colt, possesses speed, but lacks both the beauty and the necessary correct proportions.

b. “And who, Bhikkhus, is the type of stubborn person who, just like a wild colt, possesses speed and beauty, but lacks the necessary correct proportions?

“Here, Bhikkhus, a certain Bhikkhu knows as it really is:

‘This is suffering; this is the cause of suffering; this is the ending of suffering; and this is the Path leading to the ending of all suffering.’

Bhikkhus, I say that this is his speed.

“And if a deeper question on The Dhamma or The Discipline is to be asked of him, he neither becomes bewildered nor gets angry, and is able to answer. Bhikkhus, I say that this is his beauty.

“Yet, he does not obtain robes, alms food, shelter, and other medicinal requisites when fallen ill. Bhikkhus, I say that this is his lack of necessary correct proportions.

“Bhikkhus, this is the type of stubborn person who, just like a wild colt, possesses speed and beauty, but lacks the necessary correct proportions.

c. “And who, Bhikkhus, is the type of stubborn person who, just like a wild colt, possesses speed, beauty, and the necessary correct proportions?

“Here, Bhikkhus, a certain Bhikkhu knows as it really is:

‘This is suffering; this is the cause of suffering; this is the ending of suffering; and this is the Path leading to the ending of all suffering.’

“Bhikkhus, I say that this is his speed.

“And, if a deeper question on The Dhamma or The Discipline is to be asked of him, he does not become bewildered nor gets angry, and is able to answer. Bhikkhus, I say that this is his beauty.

“Also, he easily obtains robes, alms food, shelter, and other medicinal requisites when fallen ill. Bhikkhus, I say that this is him possessing the necessary correct proportions.

“Bhikkhus, this is the type of stubborn person who, being like a wild colt, possesses speed, beauty, and the necessary correct proportions.

“Bhikkhus, these are the three types of stubborn people, who are like wild colts.”
