[490] Householders, one of principled conduct, of righteous conduct (dhammacārī samacārī), is threefold by way of body, fourfold by way of speech, and threefold by way of mind.
And how, householders, is one of principled conduct, of righteous conduct, threefold by way of body? Here, householders, a certain person, abandoning the killing of living beings, abstains from the killing of living beings; with rod laid down, with weapon laid down, … he dwells compassionate for the welfare of all living beings. Abandoning the taking of what is not given, he abstains from taking what is not given; whatever wealth and property of another there is, he does not take it, ungiven, in the manner of theft. Abandoning misconduct in sensual pleasures, … he does not engage in intercourse with such women. Thus, householders, one is of principled conduct, of righteous conduct, threefold by way of body.
And how, householders, is one of principled conduct, of righteous conduct, fourfold by way of speech? Here, householders, a certain person, abandoning false speech, abstains from false speech; whether gone to an assembly or … he is not one who knowingly speaks falsehood. Abandoning divisive speech, he abstains from divisive speech; … he is a speaker of words that create concord. Abandoning harsh speech, … he is a speaker of such words (as are gentle). Abandoning idle chatter, … (he speaks) at the proper time, with reason, with moderation, connected with benefit. Thus, householders, one is of principled conduct, of righteous conduct, fourfold by way of speech.
And how, householders, is one of principled conduct, of righteous conduct, threefold by way of mind? Here, householders, a certain person is not covetous; whatever wealth and property of another there is, he does not covet it, thinking: "Oh, that what belongs to another might be mine!" He has a mind (citta) without ill will (byāpāda), with mental intentions free of hate: "May these beings live free from enmity, free from affliction, untroubled, happy, taking care of themselves!" And he is one of right view, of undistorted vision: "There is what is given, there is what is offered … (there are ascetics and brahmins who), having realized it for themselves with direct knowledge (abhiññā), make known (this world and the other world)." Thus, householders, one is of principled conduct, of righteous conduct, threefold by way of mind.
Thus, householders, it is by reason of principled conduct, of righteous conduct, that some beings here, with the breakup of the body, after death, are reborn in a good destination, in a heavenly world.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.