AN 3.153 — Broken (4th)

English translation by Bhikkhu Candana.

Translation

Text

152. Catuttha Khata Sutta (Dug Up & Undone – Part 4) Bhikkhus, by possessing three qualities, the ignorant fool digs himself up from his very foundation and destroys himself. As a result, he becomes blameworthy and is thus reproached by the wise, while also generating much demerit for himself.

And what are these three qualities?

Engaging in defiled and impure bodily actions; engaging in defiled and impure verbal actions and speech; and engaging in defiled and impure mental actions or thoughts.

Bhikkhus, by possessing these three qualities, the ignorant fool becomes blameworthy and is thus reproached by the wise, while also generating much demerit for himself.

However, Bhikkhus, by possessing three other qualities, the wise and learned Superior Person does not uproot nor destroy himself. As a result, he remains blameless and is thus praised by the wise, while generating much merit for himself.

And what are these three qualities?

Engaging in pure bodily actions; engaging in pure verbal actions and speech; and engaging in pure mental actions.

Bhikkhus, by possessing these three other qualities, the wise and learned Superior Person does not uproot nor destroy himself. And as a result, he remains blameless and is thus praised by the wise, while generating much merit for himself.