English
What if I were to go to the park of the other sect to the park of the wanderers, he should approach’… I exchanged greetings with them. Having exchanged courteous and memorable talk, I sat down to one side. “Then, venerable sir, at that time, among those other sect wanderers, gathered and assembled, this conversation arose in between them – ‘Whoever, friends, for twelve years practices the complete, purified holy life, is fit to be called a blameless monk.’ Then, venerable sir, I neither approved nor disapproved of the speech of those other sect wanderers. Without approving, without disapproving, I rose from my seat and departed – ‘I will learn the meaning of this statement in the presence of the Blessed One.’ Is it possible, venerable sir, in this Dhamma and Discipline, to declare a monk blameless merely by the number of years?” “No, Ānanda, it is not possible in this Dhamma and Discipline to declare a monk blameless merely by the number of years. These seven blameless qualities, Ānanda, have been declared by me, having realized them directly for myself. “Which seven? Here, Ānanda, a monk is endowed with faith, is conscientious, is scrupulous, is learned, has aroused energy, is mindful, is wise. These seven blameless qualities, Ānanda, have been declared by me, having realized them directly for myself. A monk endowed with these seven blameless qualities, Ānanda, even if he practices the complete, purified holy life for twelve years, is fit to be called a blameless monk; even if he practices the complete, purified holy life for twenty-four years, is fit to be called a blameless monk; even if he practices the complete, purified holy life for thirty-six years, is fit to be called a blameless monk; even if he practices the complete, purified holy life for forty-eight years, is fit to be called a blameless monk.” The Twelfth. The Fourth Chapter on Deities. Its Summary – Heedfulness and moral shame, Two easy-to-admonish, two friends; Two analytical knowledges, two masteries, Two bases for exposition.