[274] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. Now on that occasion a pernicious view (pāpakaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ) of this kind had arisen in a bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper (gandhavādhipubba): "As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructions (antarāyikā dhammā) are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
A number of bhikkhus heard: "It is said that a pernicious view of this kind has arisen in the bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructions are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them.'" Then those bhikkhus approached the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper, and having approached, they said this to him: "Is it true, friend Ariṭṭha, that a pernicious view of this kind has arisen in you: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructions are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them'?"
"Certainly, friends. As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructions are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
Then those bhikkhus, desiring to detach the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper, from that pernicious view, questioned, pressed, and cross-examined him: "Do not speak thus, friend Ariṭṭha! Do not misrepresent the Blessed One; it is not good to misrepresent the Blessed One, for the Blessed One would not speak thus. In many ways, friend Ariṭṭha, things that are obstructions have been declared by the Blessed One, and truly they are able to obstruct one who indulges in them. Sensual pleasures (kāmā) have been declared by the Blessed One to give little gratification, much suffering (dukkha), and much despair; the danger in them is greater still. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a skeleton of bones, giving much suffering and much despair; the danger in them is greater still. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a piece of meat … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a grass torch … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a pit of glowing coals … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a dream … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like borrowed goods … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like the fruits of a tree … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a butcher's knife and block … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like swords and stakes … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a snake's head, giving much suffering and much despair; the danger in them is greater still."
Yet even when questioned, pressed, and cross-examined by those bhikkhus in this way, the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper, obstinately grasping and adhering to that same pernicious view, declared: "Certainly, friends, as I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructions are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.