sn.45.24 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

The Way (2)

At Savatthī. “Bhikkhus, whether for a layperson or one gone forth, I do not praise the wrong way. Whether it is a layperson or one gone forth who is practising wrongly, because of undertaking the wrong way of practice he does not attain the method, the Dhamma that is wholesome. And what, bhikkhus, is the wrong way? It is: wrong view … wrong concentration. This is called the wrong way. Whether it is a layperson or one gone forth who is practising wrongly, because of undertaking the wrong way of practice he does not attain the method, the Dhamma that is wholesome.

“Bhikkhus, whether for a layperson or one gone forth, I praise the right way. Whether it is a layperson or one gone forth who is practising rightly, because of undertaking the right way of practice he attains the method, the Dhamma that is wholesome. And what, bhikkhus, is the right way? It is: right view … right concentration. This is called the right way. Whether it is a layperson or one gone forth who is practising rightly, because of undertaking the right way of practice he attains the method, the Dhamma that is wholesome.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Practice (2nd)

At Sāvatthī.
“Mendicants, I don’t praise wrong practice for laypeople or renunciates.
Because of wrong practice, neither laypeople nor renunciates succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.
And what’s the wrong practice?
It is wrong view, wrong thought, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion.
This is called the wrong practice.
I don’t praise wrong practice for lay people or renunciates.
Because of wrong practice, neither laypeople nor renunciates succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.
I praise right practice for laypeople and renunciates.
Because of right practice, both laypeople and renunciates succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.
And what’s the right practice?
It is right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion.
This is called the right practice.
I praise right practice for laypeople and renunciates.
Because of right practice, both laypeople and renunciates succeed in the procedure of the skillful teaching.”