AN 3.10 — Stains

English translation by Bhikkhu Candana.

Translation

Text

10. Mala Sutta (Smudges) Bhikkhus, it is through the possession of three traits, and by not giving up their three smudges, that after death, one opens his eyes and finds himself landed in hell, as if escorted there.

And what are these three?

A person lives unethically, without giving up the smudge of unethical living. A person lives enviously and jealousy in his heart, without giving up the smudge of envy or jealousy. A person is stingy, and lives without giving up the smudge of stinginess.

It is therefore through the possession of these three traits, and by not giving up their three smudges, that after death, one opens his eyes and finds himself landed in hell, as if escorted there.

But, Bhikkhus, it is through the possession of these other three traits, and by giving up their three smudges, that after death, one opens his eyes and finds himself landed in heaven, as if escorted there.

What are these three?

The person lives an ethical life behaving virtuously, having given up the smudge of unethical and non-virtuous living. The person lives without envy or jealousy in his heart, having given up the smudge of envy and jealousy. The person lives generously, having given up the smudge of stinginess.

It is through the possession of these three traits and by giving up their three smudges, that after death, one opens his eyes and finds himself landed in heaven, as if escorted there.

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!