[245] Bhikkhus, this holy life (brahmacariya) is lived with the training (sikkhā) as its benefit, with wisdom (paññā) as its crown, with liberation (vimutti) as its heartwood, with mindfulness (sati) as its dominant influence.
And how, bhikkhus, does it have the training as its benefit? Here, bhikkhus, the training regarding proper conduct (abhisamācārikā sikkhā) has been laid down by me for my disciples, for the inspiring of confidence in those without confidence and for the increase of those with confidence. In whatever way, bhikkhus, the training regarding proper conduct has been laid down by me for my disciples, for the inspiring of confidence in those without confidence and for the increase of those with confidence, in just that way he acts so as to keep that training unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled; having undertaken them, he trains in the training rules.
Furthermore, bhikkhus, the training fundamental to the holy life (ādibrahmacariyakā sikkhā) has been laid down by me for my disciples, for the utterly right destruction of suffering (dukkha). In whatever way, bhikkhus, the training fundamental to the holy life has been laid down by me for my disciples, for the utterly right destruction of suffering, in just that way he acts so as to keep that training unbroken, untorn, unblemished, unmottled; having undertaken them, he trains in the training rules. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that it has the training as its benefit.
And how, bhikkhus, does it have wisdom as its crown? Here, bhikkhus, teachings have been taught by me to my disciples, for the utterly right destruction of suffering. In whatever way, bhikkhus, teachings have been taught by me to my disciples, for the utterly right destruction of suffering, in just that way all those teachings are examined by him with wisdom. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that it has wisdom as its crown.
And how, bhikkhus, does it have liberation as its heartwood? Here, bhikkhus, teachings have been taught by me to my disciples, for the utterly right destruction of suffering. In whatever way, bhikkhus, teachings have been taught by me to my disciples, for the utterly right destruction of suffering, in just that way all those teachings are touched by him through liberation. It is in this way, bhikkhus, that it has liberation as its heartwood.
And how, bhikkhus, does it have mindfulness as its dominant influence? Mindfulness is well established internally thus: 'I shall fulfill the training regarding proper conduct that is not yet fulfilled, or I shall assist with wisdom in this and that instance the training regarding proper conduct that is fulfilled.' Mindfulness is well established internally thus: 'I shall fulfill the training fundamental to the holy life that is not yet fulfilled, or I shall assist with wisdom in this and that instance the training fundamental to the holy life that is fulfilled.' Mindfulness is well established internally thus: 'I shall examine with wisdom in this and that instance the teaching not yet examined, or I shall assist with wisdom in this and that instance the teaching that has been examined.' Mindfulness is well established internally thus: 'I shall touch through liberation the teaching not yet touched, or I shall assist with wisdom in this and that instance the teaching that has been touched.' It is in this way, bhikkhus, that it has mindfulness as its dominant influence.
'Bhikkhus, this holy life is lived with the training as its benefit, with wisdom as its crown, with liberation as its heartwood, with mindfulness as its dominant influence' — so it was said, and it was in reference to this that it was said.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.