“These seven things lead to the decline of a lay follower. “Sattime, bhikkhave, dhammā upāsakassa parihānāya saṁvattanti. What seven? Katame satta? They miss out on seeing the mendicants. Bhikkhudassanaṁ hāpeti, They neglect listening to the true teaching. saddhammassavanaṁ pamajjati, They don’t train in higher ethical conduct. adhisīle na sikkhati, They’re very suspicious about mendicants, whether senior, junior, or middle. appasādabahulo hoti, They listen to the teaching with a hostile, fault-finding mind. bhikkhūsu theresu ceva navesu ca majjhimesu ca upārambhacitto dhammaṁ suṇāti randhagavesī, They seek outside of the Buddhist community for those worthy of religious donations. ito bahiddhā dakkhiṇeyyaṁ gavesati, And they serve them first. tattha ca pubbakāraṁ karoti. These seven things lead to the decline of a lay follower. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta dhammā upāsakassa parihānāya saṁvattanti.

These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a lay follower. Sattime, bhikkhave, dhammā upāsakassa aparihānāya saṁvattanti. What seven? Katame satta? They don’t miss out on seeing the mendicants. Bhikkhudassanaṁ na hāpeti, They don’t neglect listening to the true teaching. saddhammassavanaṁ nappamajjati, They train in higher ethical conduct. adhisīle sikkhati, They’re very confident about mendicants, whether senior, junior, or middle. pasādabahulo hoti, They don’t listen to the teaching with a hostile, fault-finding mind. bhikkhūsu theresu ceva navesu ca majjhimesu ca anupārambhacitto dhammaṁ suṇāti na randhagavesī, They don’t seek outside of the Buddhist community for those worthy of religious donations. na ito bahiddhā dakkhiṇeyyaṁ gavesati, And they serve the Buddhist community first. idha ca pubbakāraṁ karoti. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a lay follower.” Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta dhammā upāsakassa aparihānāya saṁvattantī”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. Idamavoca bhagavā. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say: Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

“A lay follower misses out on seeing “Dassanaṁ bhāvitattānaṁ, those who are evolved Yo hāpeti upāsako; and listening to the teachings of the Noble One. Savanañca ariyadhammānaṁ, They don’t train in higher ethical conduct, Adhisīle na sikkhati.

and their suspicion about mendicants Appasādo ca bhikkhūsu, just grows and grows. bhiyyo bhiyyo pavaḍḍhati; They want to listen to the true teaching Upārambhakacitto ca, with a fault-finding mind. saddhammaṁ sotumicchati.

They seek outside the Buddhist community Ito ca bahiddhā aññaṁ, for someone else worthy of religious donations, dakkhiṇeyyaṁ gavesati; and that lay follower Tattheva ca pubbakāraṁ, serves them first. yo karoti upāsako.

These seven principles leading to decline Ete kho parihāniye, have been well taught. satta dhamme sudesite; A lay follower who practices them Upāsako sevamāno, falls away from the true teaching. saddhammā parihāyati.

A lay follower doesn’t miss out on seeing Dassanaṁ bhāvitattānaṁ, those who are evolved Yo na hāpeti upāsako; and listening to the teachings of the Noble One. Savanañca ariyadhammānaṁ, They train in higher ethical conduct, Adhisīle ca sikkhati.

and their confidence in mendicants Pasādo cassa bhikkhūsu, just grows and grows. bhiyyo bhiyyo pavaḍḍhati; They want to listen to the true teaching Anupārambhacitto ca, without a fault-finding mind. saddhammaṁ sotumicchati.

They don’t seek outside the Buddhist community Na ito bahiddhā aññaṁ, for someone else worthy of religious donations, dakkhiṇeyyaṁ gavesati; and that lay follower Idheva ca pubbakāraṁ, serves the Buddhist community first. yo karoti upāsako.

These seven principles that prevent decline Ete kho aparihāniye, have been well taught. Satta dhamme sudesite; A lay follower who practices them Upāsako sevamāno, doesn’t fall away from the true teaching.” Saddhammā na parihāyatī”ti.

Navamaṁ.