[276] Then the Blessed One addressed a certain bhikkhu (bhikkhu): "Come, bhikkhu, address the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, in my name: 'The Teacher calls you, friend Ariṭṭha.'" "Yes, venerable sir," that bhikkhu replied to the Blessed One, and he approached the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer; having approached, he said this to the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer: "The Teacher calls you, friend Ariṭṭha." "Yes, friend," the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, replied to that bhikkhu, and he approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down to one side. When he was seated to one side, the Blessed One said this to the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer: "Is it true, Ariṭṭha, as it is said, that a pernicious view (pāpakaṃ diṭṭhigataṃ) of this sort has arisen in you: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructions (antarāyikā dhammā) are not able to obstruct one who indulges in them'?"
"Even so, venerable sir. As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructions are not able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
"To whom, then, misguided man (moghapurisa), have you ever known me to teach the Dhamma in such a way? Have I not, misguided man, in many ways declared things to be obstructions? And indeed they do suffice to obstruct one who indulges in them. Sensual pleasures, I have said, give little gratification, much suffering (dukkha), much despair; the danger in them is still greater. Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like a skeleton of bones … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like a piece of meat … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like a grass torch … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like a pit of glowing embers … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like a dream … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like borrowed goods … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like the fruit of a tree … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like a butcher's knife and block … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like swords and stakes … Sensual pleasures, I have said, are like a snake's head—of much suffering, much despair; the danger in them is still greater. And yet you, misguided man, by your own wrong grasp both misrepresent us, dig up your own self, and generate much demerit; and this, misguided man, will be for your harm and suffering for a long time."
Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "What do you think, bhikkhus? Has this bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, kindled even a glimmer of warmth in this Dhamma and Discipline?"
"How could that be, venerable sir? Certainly not, venerable sir."
When this was said, the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, sat silent, dismayed, with drooping shoulders and downcast face, brooding, without reply.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.