Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
III: Pañc'aṇgika Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
III: The Fivefold
Sutta 21
Paṭhama Agārava Suttaṃ
Without Respect (a)
Translated by E. M. Hare
Copyright The Pali Text Society
Commercial Rights Reserved
For details see Terms of Use.
Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:
"Monks, that a disrespectful and unruly monk,
not dwelling in harmony with his fellows in the godly life,
will keep the minor precepts[1] -
such a thing is not possible.
That he will keep the learner's code[2]
without keeping the minor precepts -
such a thing is not possible.
That he will keep the virtues[3]
without keeping the learner's code -
such a thing is not possible.
That he will keep right views
without keeping the virtues -
such a thing is not possible.
That he will keep right concentration
without keeping right views -
such a thing is not possible.
But, monks, that a monk,
respectful and obedient,
dwelling in harmony with his fellows in the godly life,
will keep the minor precepts -
such a thing shall surely be.
That if he keep the minor precepts,
he will keep the learner's code -
such a thing shall surely be.
That if he keep the learner's code,
he will keep the virtues -
such a thing shall surely be.
That if he keep the virtues,
he will keep right views -
such a thing shall surely be.
That if he keep right views,
he will keep right concentration -
such a thing shall surely be.'
[1] Abhisamācārikaṃ dhammaṃ. Comy. the highest conduct in accord with the duties (vatta, Ch. 657), the declared morality. Cf. Vism. 11.
[2] Sekhaṃ dhammaṃ. Comy. sekha-sīlaṃ, for which see G.S. i, 199. At Vism. 12 n. 3 (also trsl.) this passage is said to be quoted, but there 'ādibrahmacariyaka' replaces our 'sekha.' See below VI, §§ 67-8.
[3] Sīlāni. Comy. the four great 'sīlas'; this seems to be a commentarial division; see Rhys Davids' note at Q. of M. ii, 57; moreover, the word 'mahāsīlāni' does not seem to occur in the Nikāyas, though at D. i, 12 [sic pg 9] there is a subdivision called 'mahā-sīlaṃ,' which is probably a late editorial addition. There is a fourfold division given at Vism. 11, also J. iii, 195; this is given at Q. of M. ii, 221, and is shown as being additional to the sīlaṃ of D. i, 4-12.
