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
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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.