[156] Bhikkhus, these five things lead to the decline and disappearance of the true Dhamma (saddhamma). What five? Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus learn a discourse that has been badly grasped, with badly set down words and phrasing; and when the words and phrasing are badly set down, bhikkhus, the meaning too is badly interpreted. This, bhikkhus, is the first thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus are difficult to admonish, possessed of qualities that make them difficult to admonish; they are impatient and do not accept instruction respectfully. This, bhikkhus, is the second thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are of great learning, to whom the tradition has been handed down, bearers of the Dhamma, bearers of the Discipline (Vinaya), bearers of the outlines (mātikā), do not respectfully teach the discourse to another; and when they have passed away, the discourse becomes cut off at the root, without anything to rely upon. This, bhikkhus, is the third thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, the elder bhikkhus are luxurious and lax, leaders in backsliding, casting off the burden of seclusion; they do not arouse energy (vīriya) for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized. The later generation follows their example: it too becomes luxurious and lax, a leader in backsliding, casting off the burden of seclusion; it does not arouse energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the fourth thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha is divided; and when the Saṅgha is divided, bhikkhus, there is mutual abuse, there is mutual reviling, there is mutual disparagement, and there is mutual rejection. In such a case, those without confidence do not gain confidence, and some of those with confidence change their minds. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true Dhamma. These, bhikkhus, are the five things that lead to the decline and disappearance of the true Dhamma.
Bhikkhus, these five things lead to the continuance, the non-decline, and the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma. What five? Here, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus learn a discourse that has been well grasped, with well set down words and phrasing; and when the words and phrasing are well set down, bhikkhus, the meaning too is well interpreted. This, bhikkhus, is the first thing that leads to the continuance, the non-decline, and the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus are easy to admonish, possessed of qualities that make them easy to admonish; they are patient and accept instruction respectfully. This, bhikkhus, is the second thing that leads to the continuance, the non-decline, and the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are of great learning, to whom the tradition has been handed down, bearers of the Dhamma, bearers of the Discipline, bearers of the outlines, respectfully teach [the discourse] to another; and when they have passed away, the discourse is not cut off at the root, but has something to rely upon. This, bhikkhus, is the third thing that leads to the continuance, the non-decline, and the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, the elder bhikkhus are not luxurious and not lax; they cast off the burden of backsliding and are leaders in seclusion; they arouse energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized. The later generation follows their example: it too becomes not luxurious and not lax; it casts off the burden of backsliding and is a leader in seclusion; it arouses energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized. This, bhikkhus, is the fourth thing that leads to the continuance, the non-decline, and the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma. Furthermore, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha dwells at ease—in concord, in mutual delight, without dispute, with a single recitation; and when the Saṅgha is in concord, bhikkhus, there is no mutual abuse, no mutual reviling, no mutual disparagement, and no mutual rejection. In such a case, those without confidence gain confidence, and those with confidence increase in it. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth thing that leads to the continuance, the non-decline, and the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma. These, bhikkhus, are the five things that lead to the continuance, the non-decline, and the non-disappearance of the true Dhamma.
End of the sixth sutta.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.