Gandhatthena Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a certain stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. At that time, this bhikkhu after the meal and returning from the alms round use to descend the pond and sniff the scent of the lotuses

3. Then a deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion for that bhikkhu and wanting to arouse remorse in him approached that bhikkhu.

4. Having approached, said these stanzas:


 * "Do you inhale the scent of this lotus not offered to you?
 * It is a kind of theft. Sir, you are after scents."

(Bhikkhu:)

5. "I do not carry it away, nor do I pluck it, inhale the scent staying away from it.
 * Lotus roots are dug and lotuses are plucked, why is that disaster not mentioned?"

(Deity:)

6. "A man with blood in his hands would wear a soiled cloth,
 * Therefore I have no words for you. I go, my duty done.
 * To a blameless man, constantly in search of purity,
 * Even the tail end of some demerit, seems monstrous."

(Bhikkhu:)

7. "Indeed the non human knows me, therefore is compassionate to me
 * Non human, seeing faults like these in me in the future,
 * Do not let me live with them, do it for no wages."

(Deity:)

8. "Bhikkhu, you yourself know, how heaven should be reached."

9. Then that bhikkhu made remorseful by the deity became concerned.