Iti 40

Vijjāsutta

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

Knowledge

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ; vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“Mendicants, ignorance leads the attainment of unskillful qualities, with lack of conscience and prudence following along. Knowledge leads the attainment of skillful qualities, with conscience and prudence following along.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“Yā kācimā duggatiyo, asmiṁ loke paramhi ca; Avijjāmūlikā sabbā, icchālobhasamussayā.

“Bad destinies of whatever kind, in this world or the next, are all rooted in ignorance, compounded of greed and desire.

Yato ca hoti pāpiccho, ahirīko anādaro; Tato pāpaṁ pasavati, apāyaṁ tena gacchati.

Since one of corrupt wishes is unconscientious, lacking regard for others, they brim with much wickedness, which sends them to a place of loss.

Tasmā chandañca lobhañca, avijjañca virājayaṁ; Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu, sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.

Therefore, dispelling desire and greed and ignorance, a mendicant arousing knowledge would abandon 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.