Aṅguttara Nikāya
IV. Catukka Nipāta
II. Cara Vagga

The Book of the Fours

Chapter II: Deportment

Sutta 19

Agati-Nāgati Suttaṃ

Bourn and No-Bourn¹

 

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[18] [19]

Thus have I heard:

On a certain occasion the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied, and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these four goings to the no-bourn.

What four?

One goes to the no-bourn through desire,
one goes to the no-bourn through ill-will,
one goes to the no-bourn through delusion,
one goes to the no-bourn through fear.

These are the four.

 

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"Monks, there are these four goings to the bourn.

What four?

One goes not to the no-bourn through desire,
one goes not to the no-bourn through ill-will,
one goes not to the no-bourn through delusion,
one goes not to the no-bourn through fear.

These are the four.

Led by desire, ill-will, delusion, fear,
If one transgresses Dhamma, his good name
Fades as the moon in the dark fortnight wanes.'

Led by desire, ill-will, delusion, fear,
If one transgress not Dhamma, his good name
Waxes, as in the bright fortnight the moon.'

 

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¹ Spoken thus, says Comy., for the sake of the 'intelligent.'