Exploring the Path - Pāli Course

… The lay followers of the Pāṭali village heard the report that the Bhagavā had reached (their village). Hence the lay followers of the Pāṭali village approached the Bhagavā, and having approached him they respectfully greeted him and sat down to one side. Having sat down on one side, the lay followers of the Pāṭali village addressed the Bhagavā thus: “May the Bhagavā agree to visit our council hall.” The Bhagavā showed his consent through silence.

Knowing the Bhagavā’s consent the lay followers of the Pāṭali village rose from their seats, respectfully circumambulated the Bhagavā by keeping their right side towards him and went to the council hall. Having reached the council hall they covered the floor, prepared seats, arranged water and organized oil lamps.

Having done all this they approached the Bhagavā and having approached him they respectfully greeted him and stood to one side.

Thus, standing on one side the lay followers of the Pāṭali village addressed the Bhagavā thus: “Bhagavā, the council hall is prepared, the floor covered, seats are prepared, water arranged and oil lamps are organized. Therefore Bhante, may the Bhagavā decide about the appropriate time (to visit).”

Then at the evening time the Bhagavā dressed, taking robe and bowl and together with the Bhikkhusaṅgha approached the council hall. Having approached there, he washed his feet and then entered the council hall, took his seat near the middle pillar facing the eastern direction.

Likewise, the Bhikkhusaṅgha after having washed their feet entered the council hall and took their seat at the eastern wall facing the western direction so that the Bhagavā was in front of them.

In the same way the lay followers of the Pāṭali village after having washed their feet entered the council hall and took their seat at the eastern wall facing the western direction taking care that the Bhagavā was in front of them.

Then the Bhagavā addressed the lay followers of the Pāṭali village in the following way: “There are five disadvantages, householders, for someone who is not virtuous, who is falling away from sīla.

What are those five?

Here, householders, someone who is not virtuous and is falling away from sīla will encounter a loss of wealth through negligence and heedlessness. This is the first disadvantage for someone who is not virtuous and is falling away from sīla.

And further, householders, for someone who is not virtuous and is falling away from sīla one’s bad reputation will increase. This is the second disadvantage for someone who is not virtuous, and is falling away from sīla.

Also, householders, here someone who is not virtuous, and is falling away from sīla enters and joins any type of assembly – be it an assembly of the Khattiyas, one of the Brahmins, an assembly of householders or an assembly of ascetics – will do so without self-confidence and being evasive. This is the third disadvantage for someone who is not virtuous, and is falling away from sīla.

Here, householders, someone who is not virtuous, and is falling away from sīla will at the moment of passing away do so bewildered. This is the fourth disadvantage for someone who is not virtuous and is falling away from sīla.

Here, householders, someone who is not virtuous and is falling away from sīla will at the breakup of the body after death reappear in the lower fields, the states of misery, in hell. This is the fifth disadvantage for someone who is not virtuous and is falling away from sīla.

These are householders, the five disadvantages, for someone who is not virtuous and is falling away from sīla.

There are five advantages, householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla.

What are the five?

Here householders, someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla, due to maintaining diligence he comes into possession of great wealth. This is the first advantage, householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla.

Here householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla, one’s good renown will increase. This is the second advantage, householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla.

Here householders, someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla, enters and joins any type of assembly – be it an assembly of the Khattiyas, one of the Brahmins, an assembly of householders or an assembly of ascetics – will do so full of self-confidence and straightforwardness. This is the third advantage, householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla.

Here, householders, someone who is not virtuous and preserves sīla, will moment of passing away do so unconfused. This is the fourth advantage, householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla.

Here householders, someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla, will at the breakup of the body after death, reappear in the happy states of destiny, the heavenly fields. This is the fifth advantage, householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla.

These are the five advantages, householders, for someone who is virtuous and preserves sīla”.

Then the Bhagavā, after a large stretch of the night in which he continued to teach, inspire, delight and gladden the lay followers of the Pāṭali village with discourses on the Dhamma was over, he sent them off: “The night is far advanced, householders, now do what you think is the proper time to do.”

“So be it, Bhante,” replied the lay followers of the Pāṭali village to the Bhagavā, ascended from their seats, respectfully circumambulated the Bhagavā by keeping their right side towards him and departed.

* Sīlavanttaānisaṃsā: sīlavant + ānisaṃs – Having sīla + benefits, advantages.