Vijjāsutta

Itivuttaka 40

So It Was Said 40

Dukanipāta

The Book of the Twos

Dutiyavagga

Chapter Two

Vijjāsutta

Knowledge

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

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

“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ;

“Mendicants, ignorance leads the attainment of unskillful qualities, with lack of conscience and prudence following along.

vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.

Knowledge leads the attainment of skillful qualities, with conscience and prudence following along.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

The Buddha spoke this matter.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

On this it is said:

“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,

“Bad destinies of whatever kind,

asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;

in this world or the next,

Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,

are all rooted in ignorance,

icchālobhasamussayā.

compounded of greed and desire.

Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,

Since one of corrupt wishes is

ahirīko anādaro;

unconscientious, lacking regard for others,

Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,

they brim with much wickedness,

apāyaṁ tena gacchati.

which sends them to a place of loss.

Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,

Therefore, dispelling desire

avijjañca virājayaṁ;

and greed and ignorance,

Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,

a mendicant arousing knowledge

sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.

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.

Tatiyaṁ.

Paṭhamabhāṇavāro.