an.7.33 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

A Sense of Shame

“Last night, monks, a certain devata in the far extreme of the night, her extreme radiance lighting up the entirety of Jeta’s Grove, came to me and, on arrival, bowed down to me and stood to one side. As she was standing there, she said to me, ‘These seven qualities, lord, lead to a monk’s non-decline. Which seven? Respect for the teacher, respect for the Dhamma, respect for the Sangha, respect for training, respect for concentration, respect for shame, respect for compunction. These seven qualities, lord, lead to a monk’s non-decline.’

“That is what that devata said. Having said it, she bowed down to me, circled me three times, and then disappeared right there.”

Respecting the Teacher
respecting the Dhamma,
and with fierce respect for the Sangha,
respecting concentration, ardent,
and with fierce respect for training,
consummate in shame & compunction,
deferential, respectful
—incapable of decline—
one is right in the presence of unbinding.

- Translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu

- Editor: Gabriel Laera

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Respect for Conscience

“Mendicants, tonight, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, came to me, bowed, stood to one side, and said to me:
‘Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.
What seven?
Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion, for conscience, and for prudence.
These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.’
That is what that deity said.
Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.
Respect for the Teacher and the teaching,
and keen respect for the Saṅgha;
respect for immersion, being energetic,
and keen respect for the training.
One with both conscience and prudence,
reverential and respectful,
can’t decline,
and has drawn near to extinguishment.”