Inti DharmaInti Dharma
← Scripture
Theravāda — Pali Canon · Aṅguttara Nikāya — The Numerical Discourses

AN 1.316–332Chapter Three

Pāli / Sanskrit:Tatiyavagga

📖605 words · ~2 min read
2

Save your scripture progress

Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.

Create account →
Full translation (English)

– Numbered Discourses 1.316–332

Chapter Three

316

“One individual, mendicants, arises in the world for the detriment and suffering of the people, against the people, for the harm, detriment, and suffering of gods and humans. What one individual? Someone with wrong view, whose perspective is distorted. They draw many people away from the true teaching and establish them in false teachings. This is one individual who arises in the world for the detriment and suffering of the people, against the people, for the harm, detriment, and suffering of gods and humans.”

317

“One individual, mendicants, arises in the world for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans. What one individual? Someone with right view, whose perspective is undistorted. They draw many people away from false teachings and establish them in the true teaching. This is one individuals who arises in the world for the welfare and happiness of the people, for the people, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.”

318

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very blameworthy as wrong view. Wrong view is the most blameworthy thing of all.”

319

“Mendicants, I do not see a single other individual who acts for the detriment and suffering of the people, against the people, for the harm, detriment, and suffering of gods and humans, as that futile man, the bamboo-staffed ascetic. Just as a trap set at the mouth of a river would bring harm, suffering, calamity, and disaster for many fish, so too that futile man, the bamboo-staffed ascetic, is a trap for humans, it seems to me. He has arisen in the world for the harm, suffering, calamity, and disaster of many beings.”

320

“Mendicants, the one who encourages someone in a poorly explained teaching and training, the one who they encourage, and the one who practices accordingly all brim with much wickedness. Why is that? Because the teaching is poorly explained.”

321

“Mendicants, the one who encourages someone in a well explained teaching and training, the one who they encourage, and the one who practices accordingly all brim with much merit. Why is that? Because the teaching is well explained.”

322

“Mendicants, in a poorly explained teaching and training, the donor should know moderation, not the recipient. Why is that? Because the teaching is poorly explained.”

323

“Mendicants, in a well explained teaching and training, the recipient should know moderation, not the donor. Why is that? Because the teaching is well explained.”

324

“Mendicants, in a poorly explained teaching and training an energetic person lives in suffering. Why is that? Because the teaching is poorly explained.”

325

“Mendicants, in a well explained teaching and training a lazy person lives in suffering. Why is that? Because the teaching is well explained.”

326

“Mendicants, in a poorly explained teaching and training a lazy person lives happily. Why is that? Because the teaching is poorly explained.”

327

“Mendicants, in a well explained teaching and training an energetic person lives happily. Why is that? Because the teaching is well explained.”

328

“Just as, mendicants, even a little bit of fecal matter still stinks, so too I don’t approve of even a little bit of continued existence, not even as long as a finger-snap.”

329–332

“Just as even a little bit of urine, or spit, or pus, or blood still stinks, so too I don’t approve of even a little bit of continued existence, not even as long as a finger-snap.”

Translation source: HT. Thích Minh ChâuLicense: CC0-1.0 (Sujato) · personal-use (Minh Châu)

Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.