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an.3.87 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

One in Training (2)

“Monks, this recitation of more than 150 training rules comes every fortnight, in reference to which sons of good families desiring the goal train themselves. There are these three trainings under which all that is gathered. Which three? The training in heightened virtue, the training in heightened mind, the training in heightened discernment.

“There is the case where a monk is wholly accomplished in virtue, moderately accomplished in concentration, and moderately accomplished in discernment. With reference to the lesser and minor training rules, he falls into offenses and rehabilitates himself. Why is that? Because I have not declared that to be a disqualification in these circumstances. But as for the training rules that are basic to the holy life and proper to the holy life, he is one of permanent virtue, one of steadfast virtue. Having undertaken them, he trains in reference to the training rules.

“With the wasting away of [the first] three fetters, he is one who has seven more times at most. Having transmigrated and wandered on among devas and human beings, he will put an end to stress.

“[Or] he is one going from good family to good family [i.e., rebirth in the human realm or any of the deva realms]. Having transmigrated and wandered on among two or three good families, he will put an end to stress.

“[Or] he is one with one seed. Having arisen only once more in the human realm, he will put an end to stress.

“[Or], with the wasting away of [the first] three fetters, and with the attenuation of passion, aversion, & delusion, he is a once-returner who—on returning only once more to this world—will put an end to stress.

“There is the case where a monk is wholly accomplished in virtue, wholly accomplished in concentration, and moderately accomplished in discernment. With reference to the lesser and minor training rules, he falls into offenses and rehabilitates himself. Why is that? Because I have not declared that to be a disqualification in these circumstances. But as for the training rules that are basic to the holy life and proper to the holy life, he is one of permanent virtue, one of steadfast virtue. Having undertaken them, he trains in reference to the training rules.

“With the wasting away of the five lower fetters, he is one going upstream to the Peerless [the Akaniṭṭha heaven, the highest of the Pure Abodes.]

“[Or], with the wasting away of the five lower fetters, he is one unbound with fabrication [of exertion].

“[Or], with the wasting away of the five lower fetters, he is one unbound without fabrication [of exertion].

“[Or], with the wasting away of the five lower fetters, he is one unbound on arrival [in a Pure Abode].

“[Or], with the wasting away of the five lower fetters, he is one unbound in between.

“There is the case where a monk is wholly accomplished in virtue, wholly accomplished in concentration, wholly accomplished in discernment. With reference to the lesser and minor training rules, he falls into offenses and rehabilitates himself. Why is that? Because I have not declared that to be a disqualification in these circumstances. But as for the training rules that are basic to the holy life and proper to the holy life, he is one of permanent virtue, one of steadfast virtue. Having undertaken them, he trains in reference to the training rules. With the ending of effluents, he dwells in the effluent-free awareness-release and discernment-release, having directly known and realized them for himself right in the here-and-now.

“Those who are partially accomplished attain a part; those who are wholly accomplished, the whole. The training rules, I tell you, are not in vain.”

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera

Training (2nd)

“Mendicants, each fortnight over a hundred and fifty training rules come up for recitation, in which gentlemen who love themselves train.
These are all included in the three trainings.
What three?
The training in the higher ethics, the higher mind, and the higher wisdom.
These are the three trainings that include them all.
Take the case of a mendicant who has fulfilled their ethics, but has limited immersion and wisdom.
They break some lesser and minor training rules, but are restored.
Why is that?
Because I don’t say they’re incapable of that.
But they’re constant and steady in their precepts regarding the training rules that are fundamental, befitting the spiritual life. They keep the rules they’ve undertaken.
With the ending of three fetters they have at most seven rebirths.
They will transmigrate at most seven times among gods and humans and then make an end of suffering.
With the ending of three fetters, they go from family to family. They will transmigrate between two or three families and then make an end of suffering.
With the ending of three fetters, they’re a one-seeder. They will be reborn just one time in a human existence, then make an end of suffering.
With the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, they’re a once-returner. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering.
Take another case of a mendicant who has fulfilled their ethics and immersion, but has limited wisdom.
They break some lesser and minor training rules, but are restored.
Why is that?
Because I don’t say they’re incapable of that.
But they’re constant and steady in their precepts regarding the training rules that are fundamental, befitting the spiritual path. They keep the rules they’ve undertaken.
With the ending of the five lower fetters they head upstream, going to the Akaniṭṭha realm.
With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort.
With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort.
With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing.
With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next.
Take another case of a mendicant who has fulfilled their ethics, immersion, and wisdom.
They break some lesser and minor training rules, but are restored.
Why is that?
Because I don’t say they’re incapable of that.
But they’re constant and steady in their precepts regarding the training rules that are fundamental, befitting the spiritual path. They keep the rules they’ve undertaken.
They realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements.
So, mendicants, if you practice partially you succeed partially. If you practice fully you succeed fully. These training rules are not a waste, I say.”