3.
The Discourse on a Friend
67.
"That indeed, monks, a monk who has evil friends, evil companions, evil associates, who is associating with, keeping company with, attending on evil friends, and following their example, 'will fulfil the fundamentals of conduct' - this is impossible.
'Without fulfilling the fundamentals of conduct, he will fulfil the trainee state' - this is impossible.
'Without fulfilling the trainee state, he will fulfil the moral practices' - this is impossible.
'Without fulfilling the moral practices, he will abandon lust for sensual-sphere existence or lust for fine-material-sphere existence or lust for immaterial-sphere existence' - this is impossible.
"That indeed, monks, a monk who has good friends, good companions, good associates, who is associating with, keeping company with, attending on good friends, and following their example, 'will fulfil the fundamentals of conduct' - this is possible. 'Having fulfilled the fundamentals of conduct, he will fulfil the trainee state' - this is possible. 'Having fulfilled the trainee state, he will fulfil the moral practices' - this is possible. 'Having fulfilled the moral practices, he will abandon lust for sensual-sphere existence or lust for fine-material-sphere existence or lust for immaterial-sphere existence' - this is possible." The third.