Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
III: Pañc'aṅgika Vagga

The Book of the Fives

III: The Fivefold

Sutta 21

Paṭhama Agārava Suttaṃ

Without Respect (a)

[14] [10]

Thus have I heard:

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 precepts¹ -
such a thing is not possible.

That he will keep the learner's code²
without keeping the minor precepts -
such a thing is not possible.

That he will keep the virtues³
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.