Tissametteyya Sutta | Sn IV-7

7. Tissametteyya Sutta

Discourse on the Tissametteyya

820. (The Venerable Tissametteyya addressed the Buddha):

"O Buddha, the Venerable One, teach us, the hardship of one given himself up to sex; having learnt it, we will go into seclusion and work out for our purification." (1)

821. (O Metteyya, said the Buddha,)

For a Bhikkhu who has given himself up to sex, the Buddha's Teaching - both its propagation and practice is lost on him. Further he may find himself committing wrongful deeds; this sort of conduct is ignoble. (2)

822. Once having lived a secluded life (as a Bhikkhu), he happens to resort to sex. Him the world calls one riding a whirling vehicle, a mean worldling (puthujjana). (3)

823. As a Bhikkhu, he previously had followership and fame; all these things must decline now.

Considering such consequences, one should keep firmly to the Path to avert the sexual temptation. (4)

824. One oppressed by (sensual) thoughts, finds himself seething with self-torment. When such a fallen one hears the uproar against him, He is greatly distressed too. (5)

825. Under the instigation (mistaken advice) of teachers of a different creed, he has committed wrongs, spoken falsehood;

- these 2 blunders became his bondage in a big way. (6)

826. Having won a reputation as a wise, stable Bhikkhu, dwelling alone, without a companion, he has succumbed to sexual temptations, and degrades himself to a dullard, much to his heartburning. (7)

827. Seeing the evil consequences of a fallen one, both the previous (Bhikkhu’s) and later (layman's) states, under the Buddha's Teaching, a muni (Bhikkhu) should stand firm, on the secluded life of a Muni and abstain from sexual practice. (8)

828. Exert yourselves to discriminate defilements, this is the noble practice of the Ariyas and the Buddhas (Arahants);

just by taking up the practice do not assume nobleness, only such a (discriminating) disciple approaches Nibbāna. (9)

829. The Muni (Arahant) who is free from all wrongful actions, and in complete detachment to the sensual existence,

has passed over to the safety (of Nibbāna), across the (4 great) floods, is held in adoration by worldlings heavily inclined to sensuous existence. (10)

End of the Seventh Tissametteyya Sutta