Itivuttaka 40
Translators: sujato
So It Was Said 40
Dukanipāta
The Book of the Twos
Dutiyavagga
Chapter Two
Vijjāsutta
Knowledge
Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ;
“Mendicants, ignorance precedes the attainment of unskillful qualities, with lack of conscience and prudence following along.
vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.
Knowledge precedes the attainment of skillful qualities, with conscience and prudence following along.”
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.
The Buddha spoke this matter.
Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
On this it is said:
“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,
“Bad destinies of whatever kind,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;
in this world or the next,
Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,
are all rooted in ignorance,
icchālobhasamussayā.
compounded of greed and desire.
Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,
Since one of corrupt wishes is
ahirīko anādaro;
unconscientious, lacking regard for others,
Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,
they create much wickedness,
apāyaṁ tena gacchati.
which sends them to a place of loss.
Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,
Therefore, dispelling desire
avijjañca virājayaṁ;
and greed and ignorance,
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
a mendicant arousing knowledge
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.
would cast off all bad destinies.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.
Tatiyaṁ.
Paṭhamabhāṇavāro.