English
Then a certain deity, when the night was far advanced, with resplendent beauty, illuminating the entire Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One; having approached, having paid homage to the Blessed One, stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Blessed One with a verse: 91. "We ask you, Gotama, about a man's downfall; Having come to ask the Blessed One, what is the cause of downfall?" 92. "Easy to know is progress, easy to know is downfall; One who loves Dhamma progresses, one who hates Dhamma falls." 93. "Thus we know this, that is the first downfall; Tell us the second, Blessed One, what is the cause of downfall?" 94. "He likes the ignoble, he does not like the noble; He approves the ways of the ignoble, that is the cause of downfall." 95. "Thus we know this, that is the second downfall; Tell us the third, Blessed One, what is the cause of downfall?" 96. "The person who is fond of sleep, fond of company, inactive; Lazy, and known for anger, that is the cause of downfall." 97. "Thus we know this, that is the third downfall; Tell us the fourth, Blessed One, what is the cause of downfall?" 98. Whoever, being able, does not support his mother or father, who are old and past their youth, that is the cause of one's downfall. 99. Thus we know this, that is the fourth downfall. Tell us, Blessed One, the fifth, what is the cause of one's downfall? 100. Whoever deceives a brahmin, or a recluse, or any other beggar, with false speech, that is the cause of one's downfall. 101. Thus we know this, that is the fifth downfall. Tell us, Blessed One, the sixth, what is the cause of one's downfall? 102. A person with abundant wealth, with gold and food, who eats delicious things alone, that is the cause of one's downfall. 103. Thus we know this, that is the sixth downfall. Tell us, Blessed One, the seventh, what is the cause of one's downfall? 104. Whoever, being proud of birth, proud of wealth, and proud of clan, despises his relatives, that is the cause of one's downfall. 105. Thus we know this, that is the seventh downfall. Tell us, Blessed One, the eighth, what is the cause of one's downfall? 106. Whoever is addicted to women, addicted to liquor, and addicted to gambling, destroys whatever he gains, that is the cause of one's downfall. 107. Thus we know this, that is the eighth downfall. Tell us, Blessed One, the ninth, what is the cause of one's downfall? 108. Whoever, not content with his own wife, is seen with prostitutes, and is seen with others' wives, that is the cause of one's downfall. 109. Thus we know this, that is the ninth downfall. Tell us, Blessed One, the tenth, what is the cause of one's downfall? 110. A man past his youth, who brings home a young wife; because of her, he cannot sleep out of jealousy, that is the cause of one's downfall. 111. Thus we know this, that is the tenth downfall. Tell us, Blessed One, the eleventh, what is the cause of one's downfall? 112. A woman, a drunken a spendthrift woman, or a man likewise; he places in authority, that is the cause of his downfall. 113. Thus we know this, that is the eleventh downfall; Lord, tell us the twelfth, what is the cause of downfall? 114. One with little wealth, with great craving, is born in a royal family; And he desires the kingdom, that is the cause of his downfall. 115. These causes of downfall in the world, the wise one, having thoroughly observed; The noble one, endowed with insight, he attains happiness in the world. The Discourse on Downfall, the sixth, is finished. 7. The Discourse on Outcasts Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at Savatthi, in Jeta's Grove, in Anathapindika's monastery. Then the Blessed One, in the forenoon, having dressed, and taking his bowl and robe, entered Savatthi for alms. Now at that time, in the dwelling of the brahmin Aggikabharadvaja, a fire was kindled, and an offering was prepared. Then the Blessed One, walking for alms in Savatthi, from house to house, approached the dwelling of the brahmin Aggikabharadvaja. The brahmin Aggikabharadvaja saw the Blessed One coming from afar. Having seen the Blessed One, he said this: "Stay right there, shaveling! Stay right there, ascetic! Stay right there, outcast!" When this was said, the Blessed One said to the brahmin Aggikabharadvaja: "Do you know, brahmin, what an outcast is, or the qualities that make one an outcast?" "Indeed, good Gotama, I do not know what an outcast is, or the qualities that make one an outcast; It would be good if Master Gotama would teach me the Dhamma so that I might know what an outcast is, or the qualities that make one an outcast." "Then, brahmin, listen, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, sir," replied the brahmin Aggikabharadvaja to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: 116. The person who is angry, and resentful, and who disparages others' faults; One whose views are corrupted... is deceitful, him you should know as an outcast. 117. Whoever here harms a living being, be it one-footed or two-footed; He who has no compassion for living beings, him you should know as an outcast. 118. He who kills and besieges, villages and towns; Known as an oppressor, him you should know as an outcast. 119. In a village or in the forest, what belongs to others; He takes by theft, what is not given, him you should know as an outcast. 120. He who, having taken a loan, when pressed, runs away; Saying, "There is no debt for you," him you should know as an outcast. 121. He who, desiring some trifle, a person walking on the road; Having killed, takes the trifle, him you should know as an outcast. 122. He who, for his own sake, for another's sake, or for the sake of wealth, that man; When questioned as a witness, speaks falsely, him you should know as an outcast. 123. He who among relatives or friends, is seen with their wives; By force or by consent, him you should know as an outcast. 124. He who his mother or father, aged, past their youth; Though able, does not support, him you should know as an outcast. 125. He who his mother or father, brother, sister, or mother-in-law; Strikes or abuses with words, him you should know as an outcast. 126. He who, when asked for advice, advises what is harmful; And counsels in secret, him you should know as an outcast. 127. He who, having done an evil deed, wishes, "Let no one know me"; He whose deeds are concealed, him you should know as an outcast. 128. He who, having gone to another's family, and eaten pure food; Does not honor the host when he returns, him you should know as an outcast. 129. He who a brahmin or a recluse, or any other mendicant; Deceives with false speech, him you should know as an outcast. 130. He who a brahmin or a recluse, when mealtime has arrived; Abuses and gives no word, him you should know as an outcast. 131. Who here speaks what is untrue, shrouded by delusion; Desiring some trifle, him you should know as an outcast. 132. Who exalts himself, and despises others; Lowly through his pride, him you should know as an outcast. 133. Angry and stingy, wicked, envious, deceitful; Shameless and without dread, him you should know as an outcast. 134. Who reviles the Buddha, or his disciple; A wanderer or a householder, him you should know as an outcast. 135. Who, not being an Arahant, claims to be an Arahant; A thief in the world with Brahmā, this one is indeed the lowest outcast. 136. These indeed are the outcasts, declared by me, these I have revealed; Not by birth is one an outcast, not by birth is one a brahmin; By action is one an outcast, by action is one a brahmin. 137. Know this also by this, as this example of mine; The son of a Caṇḍāla, Sopāka, known as Mātaṅga. 138. He attained supreme fame, Mātaṅga, which is very hard to get; Many Khattiyas and brahmins came to attend upon him. 139. Having ascended the divine vehicle, the stainless great path; Having abandoned sensual desire, he became one who reached the Brahmā world; His birth did not prevent him, from attaining the Brahmā world. 140. Brahmins born in families of reciters, kinsmen of mantras; They are often seen engaging in evil deeds. 141. Blameworthy in this very life, and in the next, a bad destination; Their birth does not prevent them, from a bad destination or blame. 142. Not by birth is one an outcast, not by birth is one a brahmin; By action is one an outcast, by action is one a brahmin. Thus it was said, The brahmin Aggikabhāradvāja said this to the Blessed One: "Excellent, good Gotama... ...May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forth as long as life lasts." The seventh, the Vasala Sutta, is finished. 8. The Mettā Sutta 143. What should be done by one skilled in good, who has comprehended the state of peace: He should be capable, and upright, and perfectly upright, easy to speak to, gentle, without conceit. 144. Contented, and easily supported, with few duties, and light in living; With senses calmed, and sagacious, not impudent, not greedy among families. 145. And he should not do any slight wrong, by which others, the wise, might censure him. May all beings be happy and secure; may they be happy in themselves. 146. Whatever living beings there are, trembling or firm, without exception; Whether long or great, medium, short, subtle or gross. 147. Whether seen or unseen, those who dwell far or near; Those born or those seeking birth, may all beings be happy in themselves. 148. Let no one deceive another, nor despise anyone anywhere; Through anger or ill-will, let them not wish suffering upon one another. 149. Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life; Even so, towards all beings, one should cultivate an immeasurable mind. 150. And loving-kindness towards the entire world, one should cultivate an immeasurable mind; Upwards, downwards, and across, unobstructed, without hatred, without enmity. 151.