AN 3.4 — Mistakes

English translation by Bhikkhu Candana.

Translation

Text

4. Accaya Sutta (Wrongdoing) Bhikkhus, the one who possesses three traits should be known as a fool. Which three?

He does not look at his wrongdoing as a wrongdoing. When he finally sees his wrongdoing as a wrongdoing, he still does not try to fix it in accordance with The Dhamma. And when someone else confesses to him their wrongdoing, he rejects it by not welcoming it, in order to mend the situation according to The Dhamma.

The person with these three traits should be identified as a fool.

But, Bhikkhus, the one who possesses these other three traits should be known as wise. Which three?

He sees a wrongdoing as a wrongdoing. When he sees a wrongdoing as a wrongdoing, he quickly tries to fix it in accordance with The Dhamma. And when someone else confesses to him their wrongdoing, he welcomes it, in order to mend the situation according to The Dhamma.

Thus, the person possessing these three traits should be identified as wise.

Therefore, Bhikkhus, it is in this manner that you must train yourselves, by reflecting:

‘We will fully relinquish and abandon all those qualities that designate one as a fool, those qualities with which a fool is identified. And instead, we will continuously develop and cultivate within us those qualities that transform us into wise individuals, chiseling for ourselves those bright characteristic features that make one be recognized as truly skillful and wise!’

It is in this manner, O Bhikkhus, that you must all train yourselves!