sn.45.1 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Ignorance

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anathapiṇḍika’s Park. There the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus thus: “Bhikkhus!”

“Venerable sir!” those bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:

“Bhikkhus, ignorance is the forerunner in the entry upon unwholesome states, with shamelessness and fearlessness of wrongdoing following along. For an unwise person immersed in ignorance, wrong view springs up. For one of wrong view, wrong intention springs up. For one of wrong intention, wrong speech springs up. For one of wrong speech, wrong action springs up. For one of wrong action, wrong livelihood springs up. For one of wrong livelihood, wrong effort springs up. For one of wrong effort, wrong mindfulness springs up. For one of wrong mindfulness, wrong concentration springs up.

“Bhikkhus, true knowledge is the forerunner in the entry upon wholesome states, with a sense of shame and fear of wrongdoing following along. For a wise person who has arrived at true knowledge, right view springs up. For one of right view, right intention springs up. For one of right intention, right speech springs up. For one of right speech, right action springs up. For one of right action, right livelihood springs up. For one of right livelihood, right effort springs up. For one of right effort, right mindfulness springs up. For one of right mindfulness, right concentration springs up.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Ignorance

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.
There the Buddha addressed the mendicants,
“Mendicants!”
“Venerable sir,” they replied.
The Buddha said this:
“Mendicants, ignorance precedes the attainment of unskillful qualities, with lack of conscience and prudence following along.
An ignoramus, sunk in ignorance, gives rise to wrong view.
Wrong view gives rise to wrong thought.
Wrong thought gives rise to wrong speech.
Wrong speech gives rise to wrong action.
Wrong action gives rise to wrong livelihood.
Wrong livelihood gives rise to wrong effort.
Wrong effort gives rise to wrong mindfulness.
Wrong mindfulness gives rise to wrong immersion.
Knowledge precedes the attainment of skillful qualities, with conscience and prudence following along.
A sage, firm in knowledge, gives rise to right view.
Right view gives rise to right thought.
Right thought gives rise to right speech.
Right speech gives rise to right action.
Right action gives rise to right livelihood.
Right livelihood gives rise to right effort.
Right effort gives rise to right mindfulness.
Right mindfulness gives rise to right immersion.”