106. BUDDHA SPEAKS ABOUT DEPENDENCIES
108 Buddhist Parables
Once Ananda approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, and said, “O Master, what is the purpose and benefit of wholesome virtuous behavior?”
The Blessed One replied, “Ananda, the purpose and benefit of wholesome virtuous behavior is non-regret.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of non-regret?”
The Blessed One replied, “The purpose and benefit of non-regret is joy.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of joy?”
“The purpose and benefit of joy is rapture.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of rapture?”
“The purpose and benefit of rapture is tranquility.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of tranquility?”
“The purpose and benefit of tranquility is pleasure.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of pleasure?”
“The purpose and benefit of pleasure is concentration.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of concentration?”
“The purpose and benefit of concentration is the knowledge and vision of things as they really are.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of the knowledge and vision of things as they really are?
“The purpose and benefit of the knowledge and vision of things as they really are is disenchantment.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of disenchantment?”
“The purpose and benefit of disenchantment is dispassion.”
“And what is the purpose and benefit of dispassion?”
The Blessed One replied, “The purpose and benefit of dispassion is knowledge and liberation. Thus, Ananda, wholesome virtuous behavior progressively leads to the foremost.”
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