[555] Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Uruvelā, on the bank of the river Nerañjarā, at the foot of the Ajapāla Banyan Tree, having just attained full awakening.
Then, while the Blessed One was alone in seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind: "This Dhamma that I have attained is profound, hard to see, hard to understand, peaceful, sublime, beyond the sphere of reasoning (atakkāvacara), subtle, to be experienced by the wise. But this generation delights in attachment (ālaya), is delighted with attachment, rejoices in attachment. And for a generation that delights in attachment, is delighted with attachment, rejoices in attachment, this state is hard to see, namely, specific conditionality (idappaccayatā), dependent origination (paṭiccasamuppāda). This state too is hard to see, namely, the stilling of all volitional formations (saṅkhārā), the relinquishing of all acquisitions (upadhi), the destruction of craving (taṇhā), dispassion (virāga), cessation (nirodha), Nibbāna. And if I were to teach the Dhamma, and others would not understand me, that would be weariness for me, that would be vexation for me."
Thereupon these verses, never heard before in the past, occurred spontaneously to the Blessed One:
"What I have attained with difficulty —
enough now with proclaiming it!
This Dhamma is not easily understood
by those oppressed by lust (rāga) and hatred (dosa).
Going against the stream, subtle,
profound, hard to see, and minute —
those dyed in lust will not see it,
enveloped in a mass of darkness."
As the Blessed One reflected thus, his mind (citta) inclined to inaction, not to teaching the Dhamma.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.