Aṇguttara Nikāya
Catukka Nipāta
X: Asura Vagga
Sutta 99
Sikkhāpada Suttaṃ
Trainings
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Proofed against and modified in accordance with the revised edition at dhammatalks.org
For free distribution only.
Translator's Note
This sutta is one of a series explaining AN 4.95, which rates individuals of four types. The lowest is the one who doesn't practice for his own benefit or for the benefit of others. Higher than this is the person who doesn't practice for his own benefit, but does practice for the benefit of others. Higher still is the person who practices for his own benefit, but not for the benefit of others. Highest of all is the person who practices both for his own benefit and for the benefit of others. Thus, as explained in this sutta, it is best if you not only follow the precepts but can also get others to follow them as well.
[1][pts] "Monks, these four types of individuals
are to be found existing in the world.
Which four?
The one who practices
for his own benefit
but not for that of others.
The one who practices
for the benefit of others
but not for his own.
The one who practices
neither for his own benefit
nor for that of others.
The one who practices
for his own benefit
and for that of others.
■
"And how is one an individual
who practices for his own benefit
but not for that of others?
There is the case
where a certain individual
himself abstains
from the taking of life
but doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from the taking of life.
He himself abstains
from stealing
but doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from stealing.
He himself abstains
from sexual misconduct
but doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from sexual misconduct.
He himself abstains
from lying
but doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from lying.
He himself abstains
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness
but doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness.
Such is the individual
who practices for his own benefit
but not for that of others.
■
"And how is one an individual
who practices for the benefit of others
but not for his own?
There is the case
where a certain individual
himself doesn't abstain
from the taking of life
but encourages others
in undertaking abstinence
from the taking of life.
He himself doesn't abstain
from stealing
but encourages others
in undertaking abstinence from stealing.
He himself doesn't abstain
from sexual misconduct
but encourages others
in undertaking abstinence
from sexual misconduct.
He himself doesn't abstain
from lying
but encourages others
in undertaking abstinence from lying.
He himself doesn't abstain
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness
but encourages others
in undertaking abstinence
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness.
Such is the individual
who practices for the benefit of others
but not for his own.
■
"And how is one an individual
who practices neither for his own benefit
nor for that of others?
There is the case
where a certain individual
himself doesn't abstain
from the taking of life
and doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from the taking of life.
He himself doesn't abstain
from stealing
and doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from stealing.
He himself doesn't abstain
from sexual misconduct
and doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from sexual misconduct.
He himself doesn't abstain
from lying
and doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from lying.
He himself doesn't abstain
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness
and doesn't encourage others
in undertaking abstinence
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness.
Such is the individual
who practices neither for his own benefit
nor for that of others.
■
"And how is one an individual
who practices for his own benefit
and for that of others?
There is the case
where a certain individual
himself abstains
from the taking of life
and encourages others
in undertaking abstinence
from the taking of life.
He himself abstains
from stealing
and encourages others
in undertaking abstinence from stealing.
He himself abstains
from sexual misconduct
and encourages others
in undertaking abstinence
from sexual misconduct.
He himself abstains
from lying
and encourages others
in undertaking abstinence
from lying.
He himself abstains
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness
and encourages others
in undertaking abstinence
from intoxicants that cause heedlessness.
Such is the individual
who practices for his own benefit
and for that of others.
"These are the four types of individuals
to be found existing in the world."
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