18. Cause for Shame

AN 3:18 Cause for Shame

Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi

“If, monks, wandering ascetics of other beliefs should ask you: ’Is it, friend, for the sake of rebirth in a heavenly world that you live the holy life under the ascetic Gotama?’—would you not feel repelled, ashamed, and humiliated?”

“Certainly, Lord.”

“So then, monks, you say you feel hurt, ashamed and repelled by the idea of divine longevity, divine beauty, divine bliss, divine glory, and divine sovereignty. How much more then should you feel repelled, ashamed and humiliated by bad conduct of body, speech, and mind!”