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What is it, after all, that guarantees harmony, politeness, honesty, brotherhood in a word peace within a given society? The Buddha explains here which are the two guardians of the world. |
Pāḷi |
English |
Dveme, bhikkhave, dhammā sukkā lokaṃ pālenti. Katame dve? Hirī ca ottappañca.
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Monks, these two bright qualities guard the world. Which two? Conscience & concern.
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Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve sukkā dhammā lokaṃ na pāleyyuṃ, nayidha paññāyetha mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṃ dārāti vā. Sambhedaṃ loko agamissa, yathā ajeḷakā kukkuṭasūkarā soṇasiṅgālā. Yasmā ca kho, bhikkhave, ime dve sukkā dhammā lokaṃ pālenti tasmā paññāyati mātāti vā mātucchāti vā mātulānīti vā ācariyabhariyāti vā garūnaṃ dārāti vā ti.
| If these two bright qualities did not guard the world, there would be no recognition of 'mother' here, no recognition of 'mother's sister,' 'uncle's wife,' 'teacher's wife,' or 'wife of those who deserve respect.' The world would be immersed in promiscuity, like rams with goats, roosters with pigs, or dogs with jackals. But because these two bright qualities guard the world, there is recognition of 'mother,' 'mother's sister,' 'uncle's wife,' 'teacher's wife,' & 'wife of those who deserve respect. |
 Access to Insight, 3 July 2010. ———oOo——— Published as a gift of Dhamma, to be distributed free of charge.
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