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The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

[The First Chapter for Recitation]

[11: The Advantages of Virtue]

Then the Gracious One, after living near Nàëandà for as long as he liked, addressed venerable ânanda, (saying): ßCome ânanda let us approach Pàñaligàma.û 01

ßVery well, reverend Sir,û venerable ânanda replied to the Gracious One. Then the Gracious One together with a great Community of monks entered Pàñaligàma.

The laymen of Pàñaligàma heard: ßThe Gracious One, it seems, had reached Pàñaligàma.û Then the laymen of Pàñaligàma approached the Gracious One, and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, they sat down on one side. While sitting on one side, the laymen of Pàñaligàma said this to the Gracious One: ßMay the Gracious One consent, reverend Sir, to (stay in) our rest house.û 02 The Gracious One consented by maintaining silence.

Then the laymen of Pàñaligàma, having understood the Gracious One's consent, after rising from their seats, worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, approached their rest house, and after approaching, and spreading (the mats) so that the rest house was spread all over, and preparing the seats, setting up the water-pot, and lighting the oil-lamp, they approached the Gracious One, and after approaching and worshipping the Gracious One, they stood on one side. While standing on one side, the laymen of Pàñaligàma said this to the Gracious One:

ßThe rest house is spread with mats all over, reverend Sir, the seats are prepared, the water-pot is set up, and the oil-lamp is lit, now is the time, reverend Sir, for whatever the Gracious One is thinking.û

Then the Gracious One, having dressed in the evening time, after picking up his bowl and robe, together with the Community of monks, approached the rest house, and after approaching, washing his feet, and entering the rest house, he sat down near to the middle pillar, facing the East, and the Community of monks, after washing their feet, and entering the rest house, sat down (behind the Gracious One) near the West wall, facing the East, having the Gracious One in front (of them). Also the laymen of Pàñaligàma, after washing their feet, and entering the rest house, sat down (in front of the Gracious One) near the East wall, facing the West, having the Gracious One in front (of them).

Then the Gracious One addressed the laymen of Pàñaligàma, (saying): ßThere are these five dangers, householders, for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.

What are the five?

  1. Here, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue, because of being heedless undergoes a great loss of riches. This is the first danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.

  2. Furthermore, householders, for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue, a bad report goes round. This is the second danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.

  3. Furthermore, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue, whatever assembly he approaches, whether an assembly of Nobles, or an assembly of brahmins, or an assembly of householders, or an assembly of ascetics, he approaches without confidence, with confusion. This is the third danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.

  4. Furthermore, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue, dies bewildered. This is the fourth danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.

  5. Furthermore, householders, one lacking in virtue, one who has lost his virtue, at the break-up of the body, after death, arises in the lower world, in an unfortunate destiny, in the fall, in the nether regions. This is the fifth danger for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.

These are the five dangers, householders, for one lacking in virtue, for one who has lost his virtue.

There are these five advantages, householders, for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue. 03

What are the five?

  1. Here, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue, because of being heedful obtains a great mass of riches. This is the first advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.

  2. Furthermore, householders, of one who is virtuous, of one accomplished in virtue, a good report goes round. This is the second advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.

  3. Furthermore, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue, whatever assembly he approaches, whether an assembly of Nobles, or an assembly of brahmins, or an assembly of householders, or an assembly of ascetics, approaches with confidence, without confusion. This is the third advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.

  4. Furthermore, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue, dies without bewilderment. This is the fourth advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.

  5. Furthermore, householders, one who is virtuous, one accomplished in virtue, at the break-up of the body, after death, arises in a fortunate destiny, in a Heavenly world. This is the fifth advantage for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.

These are the five advantages, householders, for one who is virtuous, for one accomplished in virtue.û

Then the Gracious One, after instructing, rousing, enthusing, and cheering the laymen of Pàñaligàma for most of the night with a talk about the Teaching, 04 dismissed them, (saying): ßThe night has passed, householders, now is the time for whatever you are thinking.û

ßVery well, reverend Sir,û said those laymen of Pàñaligàma, and after replying to the Gracious One, rising from their seats, worshipping and circumambulating the Gracious One, they went away.

Then the Gracious One, not long after the laymen of Pàñaligàma had gone, entered an empty place. 05

 

last updated: July 2008