AN11.3 — First Upanisā Sutta
Disciples, for one who is unethical, whose virtue has failed, the support for confidence is destroyed. Without confidence, the basis of joy is destroyed. Without joy, the support for rapture is destroyed. Without rapture, the basis for tranquility is destroyed. Without tranquility, the condition for happiness is destroyed. Without happiness, the support for concentration is destroyed. Without concentration, the condition for knowing and vision of things as they really are is destroyed. Without the knowing and vision of things as they really are, the basis for disenchantment is destroyed. Without disenchantment, the condition for dispassion is destroyed. Without dispassion, the support for the knowing and vision of liberation is destroyed.
Just as, disciples, a tree lacking branches and foliage, even the sapling doesnt reach fullness, nor does the bark, the wood, the heartwood reach fullness.
Similarly, disciples, for one who is unethical, whose virtue has failed, the support for confidence is destroyed, and similarly, the knowing and vision of liberation is destroyed.
For one who is virtuous, disciples, complete in virtue, the support for confidence is well established. With confidence established, the basis for joy is well established. With joy established, the basis for rapture is well established. With rapture established, the support for tranquility is well established. With tranquility established, the basis for happiness is well established. With happiness established, the support for concentration is well established. With concentration established, the condition for knowing and vision of things as they really are is well established. With the knowing and vision of things as they really are established, the basis for disenchantment is well established. With disenchantment established, the condition for dispassion is well established. With dispassion established, the support for the knowing and vision of liberation is well established.
Just as, disciples, a tree complete with branches and foliage, even the sapling reaches fullness, and so does the bark, the wood, the heartwood reach fullness.
Similarly, disciples, for one who is virtuous, complete in virtue, the support for confidence is well established.
When there is non-regret, for one who is endowed with non-regret, it provides the basis for liberation by knowing and vision.