[496] "But now, Kassapa, the elder bhikkhus are neither forest dwellers (āraññikā) nor speakers in praise of forest dwelling; they are neither almsfood eaters (piṇḍapātikā) nor speakers in praise of eating almsfood; they are neither rag-robe wearers (paṃsukūlikā) nor speakers in praise of wearing rag-robes; they are neither triple-robe wearers (tecīvarikā) nor speakers in praise of wearing the triple robe; they are neither of few wishes (appicchā) nor speakers in praise of fewness of wishes; they are neither contented nor speakers in praise of contentment; they are neither secluded nor speakers in praise of seclusion; they are neither aloof from society nor speakers in praise of aloofness from society; they are neither of aroused energy (vīriya) nor speakers in praise of the arousing of energy.
"Therein, whatever bhikkhu is well known and famous, a gainer of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick, the elder bhikkhus invite him to a seat, saying: 'Come, bhikkhu. What is this bhikkhu's name? Excellent indeed is this bhikkhu! This bhikkhu indeed loves his fellows in the holy life. Come, bhikkhu, sit on this seat.'
"Therein, Kassapa, it occurs to the newly ordained bhikkhus: 'It seems that whatever bhikkhu is well known and famous, a gainer of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick, the elder bhikkhus invite him to a seat, saying: "Come, bhikkhu. What is this bhikkhu's name? Excellent indeed is this bhikkhu! This bhikkhu indeed loves his fellows in the holy life. Come, bhikkhu, sit on this seat."' They practise so as to become like that, and that leads to their harm and suffering (dukkha) for a long time.
"For if, Kassapa, one speaking rightly could say: 'Those living the holy life have been afflicted by the affliction of those living the holy life; those living the holy life have been overwhelmed by the overwhelming of those living the holy life' — it is now, Kassapa, that one speaking rightly could say: 'Those living the holy life have been afflicted by the affliction of those living the holy life; those living the holy life have been overwhelmed by the overwhelming of those living the holy life.'"
The eighth.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.