[577] Bhikkhus, just as a hair-blanket (kesakambala) is declared the vilest of whatever woven cloths there are — for a hair-blanket, bhikkhus, is cold in the cold and hot in the heat, ugly in colour, foul in smell, and unpleasant to the touch — even so, bhikkhus, of whatever doctrines of the many ascetics there are, the doctrine of Makkhali is declared the vilest. Makkhali, bhikkhus, that foolish man (moghapurisa), is one of such doctrine, of such view: "There is no kamma, there is no deed, there is no energy (vīriya)."
Bhikkhus, those Arahants, Fully Self-Enlightened Ones, who existed in the past — those Blessed Ones too were teachers of kamma, teachers of the deed, and teachers of energy. Yet, bhikkhus, Makkhali the foolish man contradicts even them: "There is no kamma, there is no deed, there is no energy."
Bhikkhus, those Arahants, Fully Self-Enlightened Ones, who will exist in the future — those Blessed Ones too will be teachers of kamma, teachers of the deed, and teachers of energy. Yet, bhikkhus, Makkhali the foolish man contradicts even them: "There is no kamma, there is no deed, there is no energy."
And I too, bhikkhus, being at present an Arahant, a Fully Self-Enlightened One, am a teacher of kamma, a teacher of the deed, and a teacher of energy. Yet, bhikkhus, Makkhali the foolish man contradicts even me: "There is no kamma, there is no deed, there is no energy."
Bhikkhus, just as one might set a fish-trap at the mouth of a river for the harm, suffering, calamity, and ruin of many fish, even so, bhikkhus, Makkhali the foolish man has arisen in the world as a veritable trap for human beings, for the harm, suffering, calamity, and ruin of many beings.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.