法苑珠林 95.12

95.12

The Ekottarika-āgama also states: 'At that time, the World-Honoured One addressed the monks: “If a caregiver of the sick possesses five qualities, the patient will not recover in due time, but will remain constantly bedridden. What are the five? First, the caregiver does not distinguish good medicine. Second, he is indolent and lacks vigorous zeal. Third, he is habitually prone to anger and fond of sleep. Fourth, he attends to the sick person only out of greed for clothing and food. Fifth, he does not make offerings according to the Dharma, nor does he converse back and forth with the sick person. These are the five qualities possessed by a caregiver under which the patient cannot recover in due time.” (Reversing these five qualities, the illness quickly heals.)' Furthermore, in the Jātaka-sūtra, the World-Honoured One praised in verse: