Dighanikaya 14.20

14.20

Pakatiyā sīlavatīti sabhāveneva sīlasampannā. Anuppanne kira buddhe manussā tāpasaparibbājakānaṃ santike vanditvā ukkuṭikaṃ nisīditvā sīlaṃ gaṇhanti. Bodhisattamātāpi kāladevilassa isino santike sīlaṃ gaṇhāti. Bodhisatte pana kucchigate aññassa pādamūle nisīdituṃ nāma na sakkā, samānāsane nisīditvā gahitasīlampi āvajjanakaraṇamattaṃ hoti. Tasmā sayameva sīlaṃ aggahesīti vuttaṃ hoti.

“Naturally virtuous” means endowed with virtue by her very nature. Indeed, when a Buddha has not arisen, people pay homage in the presence of ascetics and wanderers, sit squatting, and undertake the precepts. The Bodhisatta’s mother also took the precepts in the presence of the sage Kāladevila. But once the Bodhisatta has entered the womb, it is impossible [for her] to sit at anyone else’s feet; even virtue undertaken having sat on an equal seat amounts merely to an act of reflection. Therefore, it is said that she took the precepts entirely by herself.