[116] On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Rājagaha, in Jīvaka's Mango Grove. Then Jīvaka Komārabhacca approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Jīvaka Komārabhacca said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, in what way is one a lay follower (upāsaka)?" "Jīvaka, when one has gone to the Buddha for refuge, has gone to the Dhamma for refuge, has gone to the Saṅgha for refuge — in this way, Jīvaka, one is a lay follower."
"But venerable sir, in what way is a lay follower virtuous?" "Jīvaka, when a lay follower abstains from the destruction of life … abstains from liquor, spirits, and intoxicants that are a basis for heedlessness — in this way, Jīvaka, a lay follower is virtuous."
"But venerable sir, in what way is a lay follower one who practices for his own welfare, but not for the welfare of others?" "Jīvaka, when a lay follower is himself accomplished in faith (saddhā) but does not encourage another in the accomplishment of faith … and is himself one who, having understood the meaning and understood the Dhamma, practices in accordance with the Dhamma, but does not encourage another in practicing in accordance with the Dhamma — in this way, Jīvaka, a lay follower is one who practices for his own welfare, but not for the welfare of others."
"But venerable sir, in what way is a lay follower one who practices both for his own welfare and for the welfare of others?" "Jīvaka, when a lay follower is himself accomplished in faith and encourages another in the accomplishment of faith; is himself accomplished in virtue (sīla) and encourages another in the accomplishment of virtue; is himself accomplished in generosity (cāga) and encourages another in the accomplishment of generosity; himself desires to see the bhikkhus and encourages another in seeing the bhikkhus; himself desires to hear the true Dhamma (saddhamma) and encourages another in hearing the true Dhamma; is himself one who by nature retains the teachings he has heard and encourages another in retaining the teachings; is himself one who examines the meaning of the teachings he has heard and encourages another in examining their meaning; and is himself one who, having understood the meaning and understood the Dhamma, practices in accordance with the Dhamma, and encourages another in practicing in accordance with the Dhamma — in this way, Jīvaka, a lay follower is one who practices both for his own welfare and for the welfare of others."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.