[321] Bhikkhus, this thought occurred to me: "This Dhamma that I have attained is profound, hard to see, hard to understand, peaceful, sublime, beyond the sphere of reasoning, subtle, to be experienced by the wise. But this generation delights in attachment (ālaya), is delighted with attachment, rejoices in attachment. For a generation that delights in attachment, is delighted with attachment, rejoices in attachment, this matter is hard to see, namely, specific conditionality (idappaccayatā), dependent origination (paṭiccasamuppāda). This matter too is hard to see, namely, the stilling of all formations (saṅkhāra), the relinquishment of all acquisitions (upadhi), the destruction of craving (taṇhā), dispassion (virāga), cessation, Nibbāna. And if I were to teach the Dhamma and others were not to understand me, that would be weariness for me, that would be vexation for me."
Moreover, bhikkhus, these verses, spontaneous, never heard before, occurred to me:
With difficulty have I attained this;
enough now with proclaiming it!
This Dhamma is not easily awakened to
by those beset by lust (rāga) and hatred.
Going against the stream, subtle,
profound, hard to see, and fine—
those inflamed by lust will not see it,
enveloped as they are in a mass of darkness.
Thus, bhikkhus, as I reflected in this way, my mind inclined to dwelling at ease, not to teaching the Dhamma.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.