KnowledgeVijjāsutta

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Mendicants, ignorance precedes the attainment of unskillful qualities, with lack of conscience and prudence following along.“Avijjā, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva ahirikaṁ anottappaṁ; Knowledge precedes the attainment of skillful qualities, with conscience and prudence following along.”vijjā ca kho, bhikkhave, pubbaṅgamā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā anvadeva hirottappan”ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter.Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said:Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“Bad destinies of whatever kind,“Yā kācimā duggatiyo, in this world or the next,asmiṁ loke paramhi ca; are all rooted in ignorance,Avijjāmūlikā sabbā, compounded of greed and desire.icchālobhasamussayā.

Since one of corrupt wishes isYato ca hoti pāpiccho, unconscientious, lacking regard for others,ahirīko anādaro; they brim with much wickedness,Tato pāpaṁ pasavati, which sends them to a place of loss.apāyaṁ tena gacchati.

Therefore, dispelling desireTasmā chandañca lobhañca, and greed and ignorance,avijjañca virājayaṁ; a mendicant arousing knowledgeVijjaṁ uppādayaṁ bhikkhu, would abandon all bad destinies.”sabbā duggatiyo jahe”ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.