At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain in the Boar’s Cave. Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati gijjhakūṭe pabbate sūkarakhatāyaṁ. Then the Buddha said to Venerable Sāriputta: Tatra kho bhagavā āyasmantaṁ sāriputtaṁ āmantesi:

“Sāriputta, considering what benefit does a mendicant with defilements ended, while still alive, continue to act with utmost deference for the Realized One or his instructions?” “kiṁ nu kho, sāriputta, atthavasaṁ sampassamāno khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatī”ti?

“Sir, it is considering the supreme sanctuary from the yoke that a mendicant with defilements ended, while still alive, continues to act with utmost deference for the Realized One or his instructions.” “Anuttarañhi, bhante, yogakkhemaṁ sampassamāno khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatī”ti.

“Good, good, Sāriputta! “Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. For it is considering the supreme sanctuary from the yoke that a mendicant whose defilements are ended, while still alive, continues to act with utmost deference for the Realized One or his instructions. Anuttarañhi, sāriputta, yogakkhemaṁ sampassamāno khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattati.

And what is that supreme sanctuary from the yoke?” Katamo ca, sāriputta, anuttaro yogakkhemo yaṁ sampassamāno khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatī”ti?

“It’s when a mendicant with defilements ended develops the faculties of faith, “Idha, bhante, khīṇāsavo bhikkhu saddhindriyaṁ bhāveti upasamagāmiṁ sambodhagāmiṁ, energy, vīriyindriyaṁ bhāveti …pe… mindfulness, satindriyaṁ bhāveti … immersion, samādhindriyaṁ bhāveti … and wisdom, which lead to peace and awakening. paññindriyaṁ bhāveti upasamagāmiṁ sambodhagāmiṁ. It is considering this supreme sanctuary from the yoke that a mendicant with defilements ended, while still alive, continues to act with utmost deference for the Realized One or his instructions.” Ayaṁ kho, bhante, anuttaro yogakkhemo yaṁ sampassamāno khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatī”ti.

“Good, good, Sāriputta! “Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. For this is that supreme sanctuary from the yoke. Eso hi, sāriputta, anuttaro yogakkhemo yaṁ sampassamāno khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatīti.

And what is that utmost deference that a mendicant with defilements ended, while still alive, continues to show towards the Realized One or his instructions?” Katamo ca, sāriputta, paramanipaccakāro yaṁ khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatī”ti?

“It’s when a mendicant with defilements ended maintains respect and reverence for the Teacher, the teaching, the Saṅgha, the training, and immersion. “Idha, bhante, khīṇāsavo bhikkhu satthari sagāravo viharati sappatisso, dhamme sagāravo viharati sappatisso, saṅghe sagāravo viharati sappatisso, sikkhāya sagāravo viharati sappatisso, samādhismiṁ sagāravo viharati sappatisso. This is that utmost deference.” Ayaṁ kho, bhante, paramanipaccakāro yaṁ khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatī”ti.

“Good, good, Sāriputta! “Sādhu sādhu, sāriputta. For this is that utmost deference that a mendicant with defilements ended, while still alive, continues to show towards the Realized One or his instructions.” Eso hi, sāriputta, paramanipaccakāro yaṁ khīṇāsavo bhikkhu tathāgate vā tathāgatasāsane vā paramanipaccakāraṁ pavattamāno pavattatī”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.