Ignorance is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, and true knowledge is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities.
Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:
“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ; vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.
“|Ignorance::fundamental unawareness or misunderstanding of the true nature of reality, not experientially understanding the four noble truths [avijjā]||, bhikkhus,::::| is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, with |shamelessness::lack of conscience [ahirika]| and |moral recklessness::fearlessness of wrongdoing [anottappa]| following behind. |True knowledge::wisdom, the direct realization of truth [vijjā]||, bhikkhus,::::| is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities, with a |sense of right and wrong::sense of shame, moral conscience, modesty [hirī]| and |moral dread::fear of wrongdoing out of regard for others [ottappa]| following behind.”
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;
Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,
icchālobhasamussayā.
“Whatever unfortunate destinies
exist in this world and the next,
all are rooted in ignorance
and accumulation of |longing::craving, desire, yearning [icchā]| and |greed::grasping [lobha]|.
Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,
ahirīko anādaro;
Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,
apāyaṁ tena gacchati.
When one has |evil desires::yearnings that produce harm [pāpiccha]|,
is without shame and |disrespectful::disdainful, contemptuous [anādara]|,
one produces unwholesome actions,
and by this, falls into a |state of loss::state of misery [apāya]|.
Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,
avijjañca virājayaṁ;
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.
Therefore, abandoning |desire::intention, wish, impulse, interest [chanda]| and greed,
and dispelling ignorance,
a bhikkhu who gives rise to true knowledge
should cast off all unfortunate destinies.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:
“|Ignorance::fundamental unawareness or misunderstanding of the true nature of reality, not experientially understanding the four noble truths [avijjā]||, bhikkhus,::::| is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, with |shamelessness::lack of conscience [ahirika]| and |moral recklessness::fearlessness of wrongdoing [anottappa]| following behind. |True knowledge::wisdom, the direct realization of truth [vijjā]||, bhikkhus,::::| is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities, with a |sense of right and wrong::sense of shame, moral conscience, modesty [hirī]| and |moral dread::fear of wrongdoing out of regard for others [ottappa]| following behind.”
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Whatever unfortunate destinies
exist in this world and the next,
all are rooted in ignorance
and accumulation of |longing::craving, desire, yearning [icchā]| and |greed::grasping [lobha]|.
When one has |evil desires::yearnings that produce harm [pāpiccha]|,
is without shame and |disrespectful::disdainful, contemptuous [anādara]|,
one produces unwholesome actions,
and by this, falls into a |state of loss::state of misery [apāya]|.
Therefore, abandoning |desire::intention, wish, impulse, interest [chanda]| and greed,
and dispelling ignorance,
a bhikkhu who gives rise to true knowledge
should cast off all unfortunate destinies.”
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.
Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
“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:
“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;
Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,
icchālobhasamussayā.
Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,
ahirīko anādaro;
Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,
apāyaṁ tena gacchati.
Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,
avijjañca virājayaṁ;
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.