Numbered Discourses 3.89

9. Ascetics

Three Trainings (1st)

“Bhikkhus, these are the three trainings. What three? The training in the higher ethics, the higher mind, and the higher wisdom.

And what is the training in the higher ethics? It’s when a bhikkhu is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken. This is called the training in the higher ethics.

And what is the training in the higher mind? It’s when a bhikkhu, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first jhāna … second jhāna … third jhāna … fourth jhāna. This is called the training in the higher mind.

And what is the training in the higher wisdom? They truly understand: ‘This is suffering’ … ‘This is the origin of suffering’ … ‘This is the cessation of suffering’ … ‘This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering’. This is called the training in the higher wisdom. These are the three trainings.”