Which sutta/s

[Cittasanto]

where is this passage found?

Beautiful in the Beginning, beautiful in the middle, beautiful in the end
with metta
manapa

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Manapa,

I suspect you're referring to explanations of the Dhamma, such as in

MN 108: Gopaka Moggallana Sutta
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html

"He has heard much, has retained what he has heard, has stored what he has heard. Whatever teachings are admirable in the beginning, admirable in the middle, admirable in the end, that — in their meaning & expression — proclaim the holy life entirely perfect & pure: those he has listened to often, retained, discussed, accumulated, examined with his mind, and well-penetrated in terms of his views.

I believe the beginning, middle and end refers to the spiritual path, but it would be good if someone could confirm that from a Classical Theravada perspective.

Metta,
Retro.

[David N. Snyder]

I believe the beginning, middle and end refers to the spiritual path, but it would be good if someone could confirm that from a Classical Theravada perspective.

Correct, going from morality to tranquility to wisdom:

Svakkhato: The Dhamma is not a speculative philosophy, but is the Universal Law found through enlightenment and is preached precisely. Therefore it is Excellent in the beginning (Sila — Moral principles), Excellent in the middle (Samadhi — Concentration) and Excellent in the end (Panna — Wisdom).

Anguttara NIkaya 11.12

[jcsuperstar]

i always use this as my guide to know whether anything is wholesome or not, it's a good way to just drop the "ends justify the means" way of thinking many of us may have been brought up with.

[Cittasanto]

thanks I tried Beautiful, good, and a couple of others and there were pages with it in regard to the Dhamma, but no sutta references!