Sūtrakṛtāṅga 0.3.1

The Knowledge of Troubles

A man believes himself a hero as long as he does not behold the foe, as did Sisupâla (before he beheld) the valorously-fighting, great warrior.

They go forward to the head of the battle; but when the fight has begun the mother will not recognise her son, and he will be mangled by his foe.

So a novice, who as yet has not suffered pains and is not yet used to a mendicant's life, believes himself a hero till he practises austerities.

When during the winter they suffer from cold and draughts, the weak become disheartened like Kshattriyas who have lost their kingdom.

When they suffer from the heat of summer, sad and thirsty, the weak become disheartened like fish in shallow water.

It is painful never to take anything but what is freely given, and begging is a hard task. Common people say that (men become monks) because they will not work and are wretched.

Weak men who are unable (to bear) these insults in villages or towns, become disheartened like cowards in the battle.

Perchance a snarling dog will bite a hungry monk; in that case the weak will become disheartened like animals burnt by fire.

Some who hate (the monks), revile them: 'Those who lead such a (miserable) life (as monks do), atone but (for their sins in a former life).'

Some call them names, as 'naked, lowest of beggars, baldhead, scabby, filthy, nasty.'

Those who behave in this way and do not know better, go from darkness to utter darkness, being fools and shrouded in delusion.

When bitten by flies and gnats, and unable (to bear) the pricking of grass, (they will begin to doubt), 'I have not seen the next world, all may end with death!'

Some weak men who suffer from the plucking out of the hair, and who are unable to preserve their chastity, will become disheartened like fish transfixed by a spear.

Some low people who lead a life of iniquity, and entertain heretical opinions, being subject to love and hatred, injure a monk.

Some fools in outlying countries take a pious monk for a spy or a thief, bind him, and insult him with angry words.

A weak monk being hurt with a stick or a fist or a fruit, remembers his (kind) relations, just as a woman who in a passion has left (her husband and house).

All these hardships are difficult to bear; the weak return to their house (when they cannot bear them), like elephants covered with arrows (break down). Thus I say.

There are some tender affections which monks cannot easily overcome. On their account some become disheartened, and are unable to practise cry: 'Child, we have brought you up, (now) support us! O dear! why will you leave us? (2) 'Child, your father is an old man; your sister is still very young; (and here), O dear, are your own brothers from the same mother; why will you leave us? (3) 'Support your mother and father, thus you will win this world; it is a duty in this world to protect one's mother. (4) 'The old people are kind-spoken; your sons, child, are very young; you have married your wife; (take care) that she will not go to another man. (5) 'Come, child, let us go home; we can do all the work, you need not (do it); the next time we shall take care (that you will not be overburdened with work); child, let us meanwhile go to our yours) you will not cease to be a Sramana; who will hinder you to practise control when you have done with worldly desires? (7) 'All your outstanding debts we have divided between us, and we shall give you the money (required for) business.' (8) In this way (his relations) come to him, lamenting, and try to persuade him. Held fast by his attachment for his relations, he quickly returns to his so his relations press him hard that he should leave off control. (10) He is held fast by his attachment for his relations. So the keepers always follow a newly-caught elephant, and a cow which has just calved never goes far (from the calf). (11) Men do not (easily) get over this attachment, as (they do not get over) the ocean. For its sake the weak suffer pains, being engrossed by their attachment for their relations. (12) But a monk should renounce it; for every attachment is but a cause of sin. He should not desire life, having been instructed in the best Law. (13) There are these whirlpools which have been pointed out by Kâsyapa: the wise keep clear of them, but the ignorant go down in them. (14) Kings and ministers of kings, Brâhmanas and Kshattriyas try with pleasant things to seduce a monk who leads a holy life. (15) (They try to seduce him) with elephants, horses, chariots, and cars, with pleasure-trips (saying to him): Enjoy these excellent pleasures, great sage, we worship you! (16) Clothes, perfumes, ornaments, women, and beds: enjoy these pleasures, friend, we worship you! (17) 'All the vows which you, holy man, have kept while a monk, are compatible with your living in a house.

'It will be no sin, for you have wandered about long (enough).' In this way they try to tempt him, as men decoy a pig with wild rice.

Weak men who are exhorted to live as monks, but who are unable to practise control, break down like weak (bullocks carrying a heavy burden) uphill.

Unable to practise the rough (i.e. control), and harassed by the austerities, weak men break down, like old oxen in going uphill.

When men who are greedy, attached to women, and who love pleasures, are tempted in the way described above, they return to their houses. Thus I say.