[276] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time an evil view (pāpakaṃ diṭṭhigataṃ) of this sort had arisen in the bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-hunter (gandhabādhipubba): "As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructive (antarāyikā dhammā) are not able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
Several bhikkhus heard: "It is said that an evil view of this sort has arisen in the bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-hunter: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructive are not able to obstruct one who indulges in them.'" Then those bhikkhus approached the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-hunter, and having approached, they said this to the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-hunter: "Is it true, as they say, friend Ariṭṭha, that an evil view of this sort has arisen in you: 'As I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructive are not able to obstruct one who indulges in them'?"
"Even so, friends, do I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One: those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructive are not able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
"Do not speak thus, friend Ariṭṭha! Do not misrepresent the Blessed One, for it is not good to misrepresent the Blessed One; 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 indulges in them. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to afford little gratification (appassādā), much suffering (dukkha), much despair; the danger (ādīnava) in them is still greater. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a skeleton of bones — much suffering, much despair; the danger in them is still greater. Sensual pleasures have been declared by the Blessed One to be like a lump of flesh … 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 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 chopping 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 — 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-hunter, obstinately grasping that same evil view and adhering to it, maintained: "Even so, friends, do I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One: those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructive are not able to obstruct one who indulges in them."
And since those bhikkhus were unable to detach the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-hunter, from that evil view, those bhikkhus approached the Blessed One, and having approached, they reported this matter to the Blessed One.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.