Dighanikaya 5.352_6

5.352_6

Idañca pana sīlapañcakaṃ – ‘‘attasinehañca jīvitasinehañca pariccajitvā rakkhissāmī’’ti samādinnatāya yaññoti vuccati. Tattha kiñcāpi pañcasīlato saraṇagamanameva jeṭṭhakaṃ, idaṃ pana saraṇagamaneyeva patiṭṭhāya rakkhitasīlavasena mahapphalanti vuttaṃ.

And this group of five precepts is called a sacrifice because it is undertaken with the thought: “Surrendering affection for self and affection for life, I will protect it.” Therein, although taking refuge is certainly superior to the five precepts, this is said to be of great fruit on account of morality protected precisely while established in the taking of refuge.