Sīlavanta Sutta
“Monks,
When virtuous renunciates dwell
Supported by villages and communities,
There, the people generate abundant goodness on three grounds.
What Three?
(1) Bodily actions,
(2) Verbal actions
(3) and Mental actions. [1]
Monks,
When virtuous renunciates dwell
Supported by villages and communities,
There, people generate abundant goodness on these three grounds.
[1] These are the three grounds upon which people can make merit.
By way of Bodily, Verbal and Mental wholesome actions.
By way of Giving (Dāna), Virtuous behaviour (Sīla) and Mental Development (Bhāvanā).
Renunciates provide an occasion for people to perform very wholesome kamma, simply by their presence and their practice of the Dhamma. Those who come in contact with them and support them are often inspired to behave meritoriously in these three ways.