[673] At that time the Blessed One, the Buddha, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time a pernicious view of this sort had arisen in the novice (samaṇuddesa) named Kaṇḍaka: "As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things called obstructions by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
Several bhikkhus heard: "It is said that a pernicious view of this sort has arisen in the novice named Kaṇḍaka: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things called obstructions by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them.'" Then those bhikkhus approached the novice Kaṇḍaka, and having approached, they said to the novice Kaṇḍaka: "Is it true, friend Kaṇḍaka, as it is said, that a pernicious view of this sort has arisen in you: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things called obstructions by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them'?"
"It is exactly so, venerable sirs. As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things called obstructions by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
"Do not say so, friend Kaṇḍaka! 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 Kaṇḍaka, obstructive things have been declared by the Blessed One, and they are indeed able to obstruct one who indulges in them. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to provide little gratification, much suffering, and much despair, and the danger in them is still greater. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a skeleton of bones … 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 glowing embers … 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 spear and stake … Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a snake's head — providing much suffering and much despair, and the danger in them is still greater."
Yet even though he was spoken to thus by those bhikkhus, the novice Kaṇḍaka, adhering to that same pernicious view with tenacity and stubborn grasping, went on asserting it: "It is exactly so, venerable sirs. As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things called obstructions by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
Since those bhikkhus were unable to detach the novice Kaṇḍaka from that pernicious view, those bhikkhus then approached the Blessed One, and having approached, they informed the Blessed One of this matter. Then the Blessed One, on this occasion and in this connection, had the community of bhikkhus assembled, and he questioned the novice Kaṇḍaka: "Is it true, as it is said, Kaṇḍaka, that a pernicious view of this sort has arisen in you: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things called obstructions by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them'?"
"It is exactly so, venerable sir. As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things called obstructions by the Blessed One are not truly able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
"From whom, indeed, foolish man, have you understood the Dhamma to be taught by me in that way? Have I not, foolish man, in many ways declared obstructive things? And they are indeed able to obstruct one who indulges in them. Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to provide little gratification, much suffering, and much despair, and 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 glowing embers … 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 spear and stake … Sensual pleasures have been declared by me to be like a snake's head — providing much suffering and much despair, and the danger in them is still greater. And yet you, foolish man, by your own wrongly grasped pernicious view, both misrepresent us and dig yourself up, and you generate much demerit. This, foolish man, will be for your harm and suffering (dukkha) for a long time. This, foolish man, is not for the confidence of those without confidence, nor for the increase of those who have confidence; rather, foolish man, it is for the lack of confidence of those without confidence, and for the vacillation of some who have confidence."
Having rebuked him and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, bhikkhus, let the Saṅgha expel the novice Kaṇḍaka. And thus, bhikkhus, should he be expelled: 'From this day forth, friend Kaṇḍaka, the Blessed One may not be referred to by you as your teacher. Even that which other novices obtain — sharing sleeping quarters with the bhikkhus for two or three nights — even that is not for you. Go away, wretch! Be gone to ruin!'"
Then the Saṅgha expelled the novice Kaṇḍaka.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.