[662] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time this evil view had arisen in the bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper (gandhabādhipubba): "As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them."
Several bhikkhus heard: "It seems that this evil view has arisen in the bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them.'" Then those bhikkhus approached the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper, and having approached, they said to him: "Is it true, as it seems, friend Ariṭṭha, that such an evil view has arisen in you: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them'?"
"It is exactly so, friends, that I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One: those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them."
"Friend Ariṭṭha, do not speak thus; 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, obstructive things have been declared by the Blessed One, and they are indeed able to obstruct one who engages in them. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to give little gratification, much suffering (dukkha), much despair; the danger in them is still greater. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a skeleton of bones, giving much suffering, much despair; the danger in them is still greater. 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 burning 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 a sword-stake … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a snake's head, giving much suffering, much despair; the danger in them is still greater."
Yet even when spoken to thus by those bhikkhus, the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper, holding stubbornly to that same evil view with obstinacy and misapprehension, still declared: "It is exactly so, friends, that I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One: those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them."
And since those bhikkhus were unable to detach the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper, from that evil view, those bhikkhus then approached the Blessed One, and having approached, they informed the Blessed One of this matter.
Then the Blessed One, on that ground, on that occasion, had the community of bhikkhus assembled and questioned the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trapper: "Is it true, as it seems, Ariṭṭha, that such an evil view has arisen in you: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them'?"
"It is exactly so, venerable sir, that I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One: those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them."
"From whom, then, foolish man, do you understand the Dhamma taught by me in that way? Have not obstructive things been declared by me in many ways, foolish man? And they are indeed able to obstruct one who engages in them. Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to give little gratification, much suffering, much despair; the danger in them is still greater. Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a skeleton of bones … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a piece of meat … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a grass torch … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a pit of burning coals … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a dream … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like borrowed goods … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like the fruits of a tree … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a butcher's knife and block … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a sword-stake … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a snake's head, giving much suffering, much despair; the danger in them is still greater. And yet you, foolish man, by your own wrong grasp of a view, both misrepresent us and dig yourself up, and you generate much demerit. This, foolish man, will be for your harm and suffering for a long time. This, foolish man, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence, nor for the increase of confidence in those who have it …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
"Should any bhikkhu speak thus: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared obstructive by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who engages in them,' that bhikkhu should be spoken to by the bhikkhus thus: 'Let the venerable one not speak thus; 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, obstructive things have been declared by the Blessed One, and they are indeed able to obstruct one who engages in them.' And should that bhikkhu, being spoken to thus by the bhikkhus, persist as before, that bhikkhu should be admonished by the bhikkhus up to the third time for the relinquishing of that. If, being admonished up to the third time, he relinquishes it, that is good; if he does not relinquish it, it is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.