Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:
“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ; vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.
“Ignorance is the forerunner in the arising of unwholesome qualities, with shamelessness and moral recklessness following behind. True knowledge is the forerunner in the arising of wholesome qualities, with a sense of right and wrong and moral dread following behind.”
Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:
The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:
“Yā kācimā duggatiyo,
asmiṁ loke paramhi ca;
Avijjāmūlikā sabbā,
icchālobhasamussayā.
“Whatever unfortunate destinies
exist in this world and the next,
all are rooted in ignorance
and accumulation of longing and greed.
Yato ca hoti pāpiccho,
ahirīko anādaro;
Tato pāpaṁ pasavati,
apāyaṁ tena gacchati.
When one has evil desires,
is without shame and disrespectful,
one produces unwholesome actions,
and by this, falls into a state of loss.
Tasmā chandañca lobhañca,
avijjañca virājayaṁ;
Vijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu,
sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.
Therefore, abandoning desire and greed,
and dispelling ignorance,
a bhikkhu who gives rise to true knowledge
should cast off all unfortunate destinies.”
Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.