← English library

AN 2.9 — Lokapala Sutta: Guardians of the World

translated from the Pāli by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

"Monks, these two bright qualities guard the world. Which two? Conscience & concern.[1] 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.'"

Notes

1.
Concern for the results of unskillful actions.

See also: AN 7.6.

Copyright © 2000 Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The text of this page (“Lokapala Sutta: Guardians of the World”, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu) is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. From Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013.