[115] At one time the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans, at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodha Park. Then Mahānāma the Sakyan approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Mahānāma the Sakyan said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, in what way is one a lay follower (upāsaka)?" "Mahānāma, when one has gone to the Buddha for refuge (saraṇa), has gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has gone to the Saṅgha for refuge — to this extent, Mahānāma, one is a lay follower."
"But, venerable sir, in what way is a lay follower virtuous?" "Mahānāma, when a lay follower abstains from the destruction of life, abstains from taking what is not given, abstains from sexual misconduct, abstains from false speech, and abstains from wines, liquors, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness — to this extent, Mahānāma, a lay follower is virtuous."
"But, venerable sir, in what way is a lay follower practicing for his own welfare but not for the welfare of others?" "Mahānāma, when a lay follower is himself accomplished in faith (saddhā) but does not encourage others in the accomplishment of faith; is himself accomplished in virtue but does not encourage others in the accomplishment of virtue; is himself accomplished in generosity (cāga) but does not encourage others in the accomplishment of generosity; himself desires to see the bhikkhus but does not encourage others in seeing the bhikkhus; himself desires to hear the true Dhamma (saddhamma) but does not encourage others in hearing the true Dhamma; is himself one who bears in mind the teachings he has heard but does not encourage others in bearing the teachings in mind; is himself one who examines the meaning of the teachings he has heard but does not encourage others in examining the meaning; and, having understood the meaning and understood the Dhamma, is himself one who practices in accordance with the Dhamma but does not encourage others in practicing in accordance with the Dhamma — to this extent, Mahānāma, a lay follower is practicing for his own welfare but not for the welfare of others."
"But, venerable sir, in what way is a lay follower practicing both for his own welfare and for the welfare of others?" "Mahānāma, when a lay follower is himself accomplished in faith and encourages others in the accomplishment of faith; is himself accomplished in virtue and encourages others in the accomplishment of virtue; is himself accomplished in generosity and encourages others in the accomplishment of generosity; himself desires to see the bhikkhus and encourages others in seeing the bhikkhus; himself desires to hear the true Dhamma and encourages others in hearing the true Dhamma; is himself one who bears in mind the teachings he has heard and encourages others in bearing the teachings in mind; is himself one who examines the meaning of the teachings he has heard and encourages others in examining the meaning; and, having understood the meaning and understood the Dhamma, is himself one who practices in accordance with the Dhamma and encourages others in practicing in accordance with the Dhamma — to this extent, Mahānāma, a lay follower is practicing both for his own welfare and for the welfare of others."
End of the Fifth Sutta.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.