Numbered Discourses 11.1

1. Dependence

What’s the Purpose?

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

“Sir, what is the purpose and benefit of skillful ethics?”

“Ānanda, having no regrets is the purpose and benefit of skillful ethics.”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of having no regrets?”

“Joy is the purpose and benefit of having no regrets.”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of joy?”

“(Mental) joy …”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of (mental) joy?”

“Tranquility …”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of tranquility?”

“(Bodily) pleasure …”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of (bodily) pleasure?”

“Samādhi …”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of samādhi?”

“Truly knowing and seeing …”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of truly knowing and seeing?”

“Disillusionment …”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of disillusionment?”

“Dispassion …”

“But what is the purpose and benefit of dispassion?”

“Knowledge and vision of freedom is the purpose and benefit of dispassion.

So, Ānanda, the purpose and benefit of skillful ethics is not having regrets. Joy is the purpose and benefit of not having regrets. (Mental) joy is the purpose and benefit of delight. Tranquility is the purpose and benefit of (mental) joy. (Bodily) pleasure is the purpose and benefit of tranquility. Samādhi is the purpose and benefit of (bodily) pleasure. Truly knowing and seeing is the purpose and benefit of samādhi. Disillusionment is the purpose and benefit of truly knowing and seeing. Dispassion is the purpose and benefit of disillusionment. And knowledge and vision of freedom is the purpose and benefit of dispassion. So, Ānanda, skillful ethics progressively lead up to the highest.”