Sukkadhammasutta

Itivuttaka 42

So It Was Said 42

Dukanipāta

The Book of the Twos

Dutiyavagga

Chapter Two

Sukkadhammasutta

Bright Things

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

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

“Dveme, bhikkhave, sukkā dhammā lokaṁ pālenti.

“These two bright things, mendicants, protect the world.

Katame dve?

What two?

Hirī ca, ottappañca.

Conscience and prudence.

Ime ce, bhikkhave, dve sukkā dhammā lokaṁ na pāleyyuṁ, nayidha paññāyetha mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṁ dārāti vā.

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.

Sambhedaṁ loko agamissa yathā ajeḷakā kukkuṭasūkarā soṇasiṅgālā.

The world would become dissolute, like goats and sheep, chickens and pigs, and hounds and jackals.

Yasmā ca kho, bhikkhave, ime dve sukkā dhammā lokaṁ pālenti tasmā paññāyati mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṁ dārāti vā”ti.

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.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca.

The Buddha spoke this matter.

Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

On this it is said:

“Yesañce hiriottappaṁ,

“Those in whom conscience and prudence

sabbadā ca na vijjati;

are never found at all,

Vokkantā sukkamūlā te,

have lost their bright roots,

jātimaraṇagāmino.

and fare on in birth and death.

Yesañca hiriottappaṁ,

Those in whom conscience and prudence

sadā sammā upaṭṭhitā;

are always rightly established,

Virūḷhabrahmacariyā te,

thrive in the spiritual life;

santo khīṇapunabbhavā”ti.

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.

Pañcamaṁ.