6.
The Discourse to Jīvaka
26.
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha in Jīvaka's Mango Grove.
Then Jīvaka Komārabhacca approached the Blessed One;
having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side.
Seated to one side, Jīvaka Komārabhacca said this to the Blessed One -
"In what way, venerable sir, is one a lay follower?"
"Since, Jīvaka, one has gone for refuge to the Buddha, has gone for refuge to the Teaching, has gone for refuge to the Community;
to this extent, Jīvaka, is one a lay follower."
"But in what way, venerable sir, is a lay follower moral?" "Since, Jīvaka, a lay follower abstains from killing living beings, etc. abstains from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence; to this extent, Jīvaka, is a lay follower moral."
"But in what way, venerable sir, is a lay follower practising for personal welfare, not for the welfare of others?" "Since, Jīvaka, a lay follower is himself accomplished in faith, but does not encourage others to accomplishment in faith, etc. he himself, having understood the meaning and having understood the Teaching, is practising in accordance with the Teaching, but does not encourage others to practise in accordance with the Teaching. To this extent, Jīvaka, is a lay follower practising for personal welfare, not for the welfare of others."
"But in what way, venerable sir, is a lay follower practising both for personal welfare and for the welfare of others?" "Since, Jīvaka, a lay follower is himself accomplished in faith, and encourages others to accomplishment in faith; he is himself accomplished in morality, and encourages others to accomplishment in morality; he is himself accomplished in generosity, and encourages others to accomplishment in generosity; he himself wishes to see monks, and encourages others to see monks; he himself wishes to hear the Good Teaching, and encourages others to hear the Good Teaching; he is himself one who retains the teachings heard, and encourages others to retain the Teaching; he is himself an investigator of the meaning of the teachings heard, and encourages others to investigate the meaning; he himself, having understood the meaning and having understood the Teaching, is practising in accordance with the Teaching, and encourages others to practise in accordance with the Teaching. To this extent, Jīvaka, is a lay follower practising both for personal welfare and for the welfare of others." The sixth.