3.
The Discourse on the Observance
344.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Then a certain monk approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, that monk said this to the Blessed One -
"What, venerable sir, is the cause, what is the condition, whereby some egg-born serpents here observe the Observance and become ones who have relinquished their bodies?"
"Here, monk, for some egg-born serpents it occurs thus - 'We formerly were doers of twofold deeds by body, doers of twofold deeds by speech, doers of twofold deeds by mind. We, being doers of twofold deeds by body, doers of twofold deeds by speech, doers of twofold deeds by mind, upon the body's collapse at death, were reborn in the company of egg-born serpents. If today we were to practise good conduct by body, practise good conduct by speech, practise good conduct by mind, thus we, upon the body's collapse at death, would be reborn in a fortunate realm, in a heavenly world. Come, let us now practise good conduct by body, practise good conduct by speech, practise good conduct by mind.' This, monk, is the cause, this is the condition, whereby some egg-born serpents here observe the Observance and become ones who have relinquished their bodies." The third.