[218] 3. This indeed was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, so I have heard:
"Bhikkhus, ignorance (avijjā) is the forerunner in the attainment of unwholesome states, with shamelessness and lack of moral dread following right after; but true knowledge (vijjā), bhikkhus, is the forerunner in the attainment of wholesome states, with moral shame and moral dread following right after."
The Blessed One spoke this matter. Concerning this, it is said:
Whatever bad destinations there are, in this world and in the next,
all are rooted in ignorance, built up by desire and greed.
And insofar as one is of evil desires, shameless, disrespectful,
thence one generates evil; by that one goes to a state of loss (apāya).
Therefore, dispelling desire and greed and ignorance,
arousing true knowledge, a bhikkhu should abandon all bad destinations.
This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One; so I have heard. The Third.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.