[692] "What do you think, Dhanañjāni: one who, for the sake of the departed ancestors (pubbapetā), conducts himself contrary to the Dhamma, conducts himself unrighteously, or one who, for the sake of the departed ancestors, conducts himself in accordance with the Dhamma, conducts himself righteously — which is better?"
"Worthy Sāriputta, one who, for the sake of the departed ancestors, conducts himself contrary to the Dhamma, conducts himself unrighteously — that is not better; but one who, for the sake of the departed ancestors, conducts himself in accordance with the Dhamma, conducts himself righteously — that alone here is better. For, worthy Sāriputta, conduct in accordance with the Dhamma and righteous conduct are better than conduct contrary to the Dhamma and unrighteous conduct."
"There are, Dhanañjāni, other kinds of work, fruitful (sahetukā) and in accordance with the Dhamma, by which one is able both to do one's duty to the departed ancestors, and to refrain from doing evil deeds, and to practice the way of merit (puñña)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.