Those Who Sustain the Good Teachings (Second Discourse)

Monks, those Monks who explain the meaning and The Teachings with well-acquired discourses whose phrasing is not [mere] approximation are acting for the welfare of many people, for the peacefulness of many people, for the good, welfare, and peacefulness of many people, of heavenly beings and human beings.

These Monks generate much merit and sustain the good Teachings.

(Reference: AN 2.41)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how his Teachings would be sustained based on decisions made by people to share his Teachings in the way that he taught them because The Teachings are “well-acquired discourses whose phrasing is not [mere] approximation”.

The Buddha explains that an individual who maintains his Teachings in the way that he taught them is “acting for the welfare of many people, for the peacefulness of many people, for the good, welfare, and peacefulness of many people, of heavenly beings and human beings”. Heavenly beings and human beings are able to attain Enlightenment while the other realms of hell, animal, and afflicted spirits are unable to attain Enlightenment. Therefore, one who maintains his Teachings is acting for the peacefulness of heavenly and human beings as they would be able to attain Enlightenment with The Teachings of a Buddha as a Buddha taught them.

One who maintains a Buddha’s Teachings “generate much merit and sustain this good Teachings” and it causes The Community to live in harmony.