[526] Bhikkhus, this recitation of more than one hundred and fifty training rules (sikkhāpada) comes up for recitation every half-month, in which clansmen desiring their own good train. Bhikkhus, there are these three trainings (sikkhā) in which all that is included. Which three? The training in higher morality (adhisīla-sikkhā), the training in higher mentality (adhicitta-sikkhā), and the training in higher wisdom (adhipaññā-sikkhā). These, bhikkhus, are the three trainings in which all that is included.
Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who fulfils virtue, but practises concentration (samādhi) only in moderate measure and practises wisdom only in moderate measure. As to those lesser and minor training rules, he both commits offences against them and rehabilitates himself. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, no incapability is declared in this regard. But as to those training rules that are fundamental to the holy life and befitting the holy life, therein he is of constant virtue, of steadfast virtue; having undertaken them, he trains in the training rules. He, with the utter destruction of three fetters (saṃyojana), is a stream-enterer (sotāpanna), no longer subject to falling into perdition, fixed in destiny, with full awakening as his destination.
But here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who fulfils virtue, but practises concentration only in moderate measure and practises wisdom only in moderate measure. As to those lesser and minor training rules, he both commits offences against them and rehabilitates himself. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, no incapability is declared in this regard. But as to those training rules that are fundamental to the holy life and befitting the holy life, therein he is of constant virtue, of steadfast virtue; having undertaken them, he trains in the training rules. He, with the utter destruction of three fetters and with the attenuation of lust (rāga), hatred, and delusion, is a once-returner (sakadāgāmī): having come back to this world only once more, he will make an end of suffering (dukkha).
But here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who fulfils virtue and fulfils concentration, but practises wisdom only in moderate measure. As to those lesser and minor training rules, he both commits offences against them and rehabilitates himself. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, no incapability is declared in this regard. But as to those training rules that are fundamental to the holy life and befitting the holy life, therein he is of constant virtue, of steadfast virtue; having undertaken them, he trains in the training rules. He, with the utter destruction of the five lower fetters, is one of spontaneous rebirth (opapātika), due to attain final Nibbāna there, not subject to returning from that world.
But here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is one who fulfils virtue, fulfils concentration, and fulfils wisdom. As to those lesser and minor training rules, he both commits offences against them and rehabilitates himself. For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, no incapability is declared in this regard. But as to those training rules that are fundamental to the holy life and befitting the holy life, therein he is of constant virtue, of steadfast virtue; having undertaken them, he trains in the training rules. He, with the destruction of the taints (āsava), having realized for himself with direct knowledge, in this very life, the taintless liberation of mind (cetovimutti) and liberation by wisdom (paññāvimutti), enters upon and dwells in it.
Thus indeed, bhikkhus, one who practises partially achieves partially; one who practises fully achieves the full. Not barren, I say, bhikkhus, are these training rules.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.