[539] (100) Bhikkhus, even when new, a bark cloth (potthaka) is ugly in colour, unpleasant to the touch, and of little value; even when of middling age, bhikkhus, a bark cloth is ugly in colour, unpleasant to the touch, and of little value; even when old, bhikkhus, a bark cloth is ugly in colour, unpleasant to the touch, and of little value. And when a bark cloth is old, bhikkhus, they make it into a rag for wiping cooking-pots, or they discard it on the rubbish heap.
In the same way, bhikkhus, if even a newly ordained bhikkhu is immoral, of evil character — this, I declare, is his ugliness of colour. Just as that bark cloth, bhikkhus, is ugly in colour, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those who associate with him, keep company with him, attend upon him, and follow his example — for them that is for their harm and suffering (dukkha) for a long time. This, I declare, is his unpleasantness to the touch. Just as that bark cloth, bhikkhus, is unpleasant to the touch, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those from whom he accepts robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick — for them that is not of great fruit, not of great benefit. This, I declare, is his littleness of value. Just as that bark cloth, bhikkhus, is of little value, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort.
If, bhikkhus, even a bhikkhu of middle standing … If, bhikkhus, even an elder bhikkhu is immoral, of evil character — this, I declare, is his ugliness of colour. Just as that bark cloth, bhikkhus, is ugly in colour, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those who associate with him, keep company with him, attend upon him, and follow his example — for them that is for their harm and suffering for a long time. This, I declare, is his unpleasantness to the touch. Just as that bark cloth, bhikkhus, is unpleasant to the touch, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those from whom he accepts robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick — for them that is not of great fruit, not of great benefit. This, I declare, is his littleness of value. Just as that bark cloth, bhikkhus, is of little value, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort.
And when such an elder bhikkhu, bhikkhus, speaks in the midst of the Saṅgha, the bhikkhus say to him: 'What is the use of speech from you, a fool and incompetent? Do you imagine that you are one who should speak?' Angry and displeased, he utters such speech as leads the Saṅgha to suspend him — like that bark cloth cast on the rubbish heap.
Bhikkhus, even when new, a cloth of Kāsi is beautiful in colour, pleasant to the touch, and of great value; even when of middling age, bhikkhus, a cloth of Kāsi is beautiful in colour, pleasant to the touch, and of great value; even when old, bhikkhus, a cloth of Kāsi is beautiful in colour, pleasant to the touch, and of great value. And when a cloth of Kāsi is old, bhikkhus, they make it into a wrapping for gems, or they place it in a perfumed casket.
In the same way, bhikkhus, if even a newly ordained bhikkhu is virtuous, of good character — this, I declare, is his beauty of colour. Just as that cloth of Kāsi, bhikkhus, is beautiful in colour, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those who associate with him, keep company with him, attend upon him, and follow his example — for them that is for their welfare and happiness for a long time. This, I declare, is his pleasantness to the touch. Just as that cloth of Kāsi, bhikkhus, is pleasant to the touch, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those from whom he accepts robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick — for them that is of great fruit, of great benefit. This, I declare, is his greatness of value. Just as that cloth of Kāsi, bhikkhus, is of great value, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort.
If, bhikkhus, even a bhikkhu of middle standing … If, bhikkhus, even an elder bhikkhu is virtuous, of good character — this, I declare, is his beauty of colour. Just as that cloth of Kāsi, bhikkhus, is beautiful in colour, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those who associate with him, keep company with him, attend upon him, and follow his example — for them that is for their welfare and happiness for a long time. This, I declare, is his pleasantness to the touch. Just as that cloth of Kāsi, bhikkhus, is pleasant to the touch, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort. And those from whom he accepts robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick — for them that is of great fruit, of great benefit. This, I declare, is his greatness of value. Just as that cloth of Kāsi, bhikkhus, is of great value, so, bhikkhus, I declare this person to be of like sort.
And when such an elder bhikkhu, bhikkhus, speaks in the midst of the Saṅgha, the bhikkhus say: 'Be quiet, venerable sirs! An elder bhikkhu is speaking on the Dhamma and the Discipline.' Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: 'We shall be like the cloth of Kāsi, not like the bark cloth.' Thus, bhikkhus, should you train yourselves.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.