Iti 42

Sukkadhammasutta

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

Bright Things

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

“Dveme, bhikkhave, sukkā dhammā lokaṁ pālenti. Katame dve? Hirī ca, ottappañca. Ime ce, bhikkhave, dve sukkā dhammā lokaṁ na pāleyyuṁ, nayidha paññāyetha mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṁ dārāti vā. Sambhedaṁ loko agamissa yathā ajeḷakā kukkuṭasūkarā soṇasiṅgālā. Yasmā ca kho, bhikkhave, ime dve sukkā dhammā lokaṁ pālenti tasmā paññāyati mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṁ dārāti vā”ti. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“These two bright things, mendicants, protect the world. What two? Conscience and prudence. If these two bright things did not protect the world, there would be no recognition of the status of mother, aunts, or wives and partners of tutors and respected people. The world would become dissolute, like goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and hounds and jackals. But because the two bright things protect the world, there is recognition of the status of mother, aunts, and wives and partners of tutors and respected people.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“Yesañce hiriottappaṁ, sabbadā ca na vijjati; Vokkantā sukkamūlā te, jātimaraṇagāmino.

“Those in whom conscience and prudence are never found at all, have lost their bright roots, and fare on in birth and death.

Yesañca hiriottappaṁ, sadā sammā upaṭṭhitā; Virūḷhabrahmacariyā te, santo khīṇapunabbhavā”ti.

Those in whom conscience and prudence are always rightly established, thrive in the spiritual life; being at peace, they will not be reborn again.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.