Saṁyutta Nikāya:
V. Mahā-Vagga
45. Magga Saṁyutta
IV. Paṭipatti Vagga

The Great Chapter,
Book I (Chapter 45): Kindred Sayings on the Way
Chapter IV: On Conduct

Sutta 39

Paṭhama Brahmacariya Suttaṁ

The Best Practice (a)

 

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THUS have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was staying near Sāvatthī.

Then the Exalted One addressed the monks,
saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," replied those monks to the Exalted One.

The Exalted One said:

"I will teach you, monks, both the best practice¹
and the fruits of the best practice.

Do ye listen to it.

And what, monks, is the best practice?

It is just this Ariyan eightfold way,
to wit:

Right view,
right aim,
right speech,
right action,
right living,
right effort,
right mindfulness
right concentration.

This is called
'the best practice.'

And what, monks, are
the fruits of the best practice?

They are the fruit of stream-winning,
the fruit of once returning,
the fruit of not returning
and the fruit of arahantship.

These, monks, are called
'the fruits of the best practice.'"

 

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¹ Brahmicariya. Cf. n. supra, and on cap. vi, i, I also translate elsewhere as 'the holy life.'