[70] Bhikkhus, in the past there was a teacher named Sunetta, a founder of a sect (titthakara), free from lust for sensual pleasures. Now, bhikkhus, the teacher Sunetta had many hundreds of disciples. The teacher Sunetta taught his disciples the Dhamma for companionship with the Brahmā world. Bhikkhus, those who, while the teacher Sunetta was teaching the Dhamma for companionship with the Brahmā world, did not make their minds confident, with the breakup of the body, after death, were reborn in the plane of misery, a bad destination, the lower world, hell; but those, bhikkhus, who, while the teacher Sunetta was teaching the Dhamma for companionship with the Brahmā world, made their minds confident, with the breakup of the body, after death, were reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world.
Bhikkhus, in the past there was a teacher named Mūgapakkha … there was a teacher named Aranemi; there was a teacher named Kuddāla; there was a teacher named Hatthipāla; there was a teacher named Jotipāla; there was a teacher named Araka, a founder of a sect, free from lust for sensual pleasures. Now, bhikkhus, the teacher Araka had many hundreds of disciples. The teacher named Araka taught his disciples the Dhamma for companionship with the Brahmā world. Bhikkhus, those who, while the teacher Araka was teaching the Dhamma for companionship with the Brahmā world, did not make their minds confident, with the breakup of the body, after death, were reborn in the plane of misery, a bad destination, the lower world, hell; but those, bhikkhus, who, while the teacher Araka was teaching the Dhamma for companionship with the Brahmā world, made their minds confident, with the breakup of the body, after death, were reborn in a good destination, a heavenly world.
What do you think, bhikkhus? If someone with a corrupted mind (citta) were to abuse and revile these seven teachers—founders of sects, free from lust for sensual pleasures, with retinues of many hundreds, together with their communities of disciples—would he generate much demerit?
"So it is, venerable sir."
Bhikkhus, if someone with a corrupted mind were to abuse and revile these seven teachers—founders of sects, free from lust for sensual pleasures, with retinues of many hundreds, together with their communities of disciples—he would generate much demerit; but one who with a corrupted mind abuses and reviles a single person accomplished in view generates demerit still greater than that. For what reason? Bhikkhus, I do not speak of such forbearance with regard to those outside of this [dispensation] as I do with regard to companions in the holy life. Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train thus: "Our minds shall never be corrupted toward our companions in the holy life." Thus indeed, bhikkhus, should you train.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.