Praise and Slander (EA12.5)

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, “Those who praise forest dwellers have praised me. Why is that? Because now I’m always praising forest dwellers. Those who slander forest dwellers then have slandered me.

“Those who praise soliciting alms have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who solicit alms. Those who slander soliciting alms have slandered me.

“Those who praise sitting in solitude have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who sit in solitude. Those who slander sitting in solitude have slandered me.

“Those who praise dwelling in one place for one sitting have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who dwell in one place for one sitting. Those who slander dwelling in one place for one sitting have slandered me.

“If someone praises sitting under a tree, that’s no different than praising me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who sit under trees. If someone slanders someone for sitting under a tree, then they have slandered me.

“Those who praise sitting on open ground have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who sit on open ground. Those who slander someone for sitting on open ground have slandered me.

“Those who praise living in uninhabited places have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who live in uninhabited places. Those who slander someone for living in an uninhabited place have slandered me.

“Those who praise wearing the five-peice robe have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who wear five-piece robes. Those who slander someone for wearing the five-peice robe have slandered me.

“Those who praise keeping three garments have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who keep three garments. Those who slander someone for keeping three garments have slandered me.

“Those who praise sitting in charnel grounds have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who sit in charnel grounds. Those who slander someone for sitting in a charnel ground have slandered me.

“Those who praise having a single meal have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who take a single meal. Those who slander someone for taking a single meal have slandered me.

“Those who praise eating at midday have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising those who eat at midday. Those who slander someone for eating at midday have slandered me.

“Those who praise the ascetic practices have praised me. Why is that? I’m always praising the ascetic practices. Those who slander someone because of the ascetic practices have slandered me.

“Now, I teach the monks, ‘Someone should train like Mahākāśyapa and omit nothing.’ Why is that? These are the practices of the monk Kāśyapa.

“Therefore, monks, always train the way Mahākāśyapa does. 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.