Viyahapannatti 7.2.339

7.2.339

"Indeed, Venerable Sir, does one who says, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings, all entities, all souls, all creatures,' have a proper renunciation or an improper renunciation?"
"Gautama, for one who says, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures,' it may be a proper renunciation, or it may be an improper renunciation."
"For what reason, Venerable Sir, is it said: 'For one who says, "I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures," it may be a proper renunciation, or it may be an improper renunciation'?"
"Gautama, when one says, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures,' without having fully understood thus: 'These are souls, these are non-souls; these are mobile, these are immobile,' then for that one who says, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures,' it is not a proper renunciation, it is an improper renunciation.
Thus indeed, that improper renouncer, in saying, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures,' does not speak true speech; he speaks false speech. Thus indeed, that liar, in relation to all breathing beings up to all creatures, is unrestrained, un-abstaining, has not averted or renounced evil karma in the three modes through the three means; he is engaged in [sinful] activity, unguarded, entirely punitive, and also an absolute fool.
When one says, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures,' having fully understood thus: 'These are souls, these are non-souls; these are mobile, these are immobile,' then for that one who says, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures,' it is a proper renunciation, it is not an improper renunciation.
Thus indeed, that proper renouncer, in saying, 'I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures,' speaks true speech; he does not speak false speech. Thus indeed, that truthful person, in relation to all breathing beings up to all creatures, is restrained, abstaining, has averted and renounced evil karma in the three modes through the three means; he is free from [sinful] activity, guarded, and also an absolute wise man. For that reason, Gautama, it is said: 'For one who says, "I renounce [harm towards] all breathing beings up to all creatures," it may be a proper renunciation, or it may be an improper renunciation.'"