Itivuttaka 42

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Adapted From the Translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu(Geoffrey DeGraff)

Compared with the Pali Tipitaka at www.tipitaka.org

42. Sukkadhammasuttam (Importance of Shame & Celibacy)

This was said by the Lord Buddha(Bhagavata), said by the Arahant, so I have heard:

“Monks, these two bright qualities safeguard the world. Which two? Shame & inhibition. If these two bright qualities did not safeguard the world, there would be no discerning of “mother,” “aunt,” “uncle’s wife,” “teacher’s wife,” or “wife of those deserving respect.” The world would fall into promiscuity, like rams with goats, roosters with pigs, or dogs with jackals. But because these two bright qualities do safeguard the world, there is the discerning of “mother,” “aunt,” “uncle’s wife,” “teacher’s wife,” & “wife of those deserving respect.”

Those in whom shame & inhibition are not always found have strayed from the bright root, are headed to birth & death. But those in whom shame & inhibition always are rightly established, who are mature in the holy celibate life: they are calm, their further becoming (rebirth) decayed.