Śrīla (EA12.10)

Thus I have heard: One time, the Buddha was staying at Anāthapiṇḍada’s Park in Jeta’s Grove of Śrāvastī.

It was then that the Bhagavān addressed the monks, “Someone taking profit is a serious thing, not an easy thing, for it prevents a person from reaching the unconditioned abode. Why is that? If that monk Śrīla hadn’t craved profit, it wouldn’t have occurred to him to kill measureless beings. He was born in Hell after his body broke up and his life ended.”

The Bhagavān then spoke in verse:

“Taking profit is a serious thing;
It can ruin a person’s clean conduct.
Therefore, you must discipline your thinking;
Don’t take delight in that greedy longing.

Because he attained samādhi, Śrīla
Ascended up to Lord Śakra’s palace.
He regressed from that spiritual knowledge
And then fell back down to a slaughterhouse.”

“Therefore, monks, you should know from this that taking profit is a serious thing, not an easy thing. Control and prevent thoughts about profit before they arise. If they’ve already arisen, work to make them cease. Thus, monks, you should train yourselves.”

When the monks heard what the Buddha taught, they rejoiced and approved.

This sūtra is part of the Dharma Pearls translation project.

Prepared by Charles Patton for SuttaCentral.