Verses on Dhamma 11.2.p5

11.2.p5

Atheko bhikkhu tassā guṇakathaṃ sutvā adassaneneva sinehaṃ uppādetvā ‘‘mayā gantvā taṃ daṭṭhuṃ vaṭṭatī’’ti attano vassaggaṃ kathetvā taṃ bhikkhuṃ ṭhitikaṃ pucchitvā ‘‘sve, āvuso, tasmiṃ gehe tvaṃ saṅghatthero hutvā aṭṭhakabhattaṃ labhissasī’’ti sutvā taṅkhaṇaññeva pattacīvaraṃ ādāya pakkantopi pātova aruṇe uggate salākaggaṃ pavisitvā ṭhito saṅghatthero hutvā tassā gehe aṭṭhakabhattaṃ labhi. Yo pana bhikkhu hiyyo bhuñjitvā pakkāmi, tassa gatavelāyameva assā sarīre rogo uppajji. Tasmā sā ābharaṇāni omuñcitvā nipajji. Athassā dāsiyo aṭṭhakabhattaṃ labhitvā āgate bhikkhū disvā ārocesuṃ. Sā sahatthā patte gahetvā nisīdāpetuṃ vā parivisituṃ vā asakkontī dāsiyo āṇāpesi – ‘‘ammā patte gahetvā, ayye, nisīdāpetvā yāguṃ pāyetvā khajjakaṃ datvā bhattavelāya patte pūretvā dethā’’ti. Tā ‘‘sādhu, ayye’’ti bhikkhū pavesetvā yāguṃ pāyetvā khajjakaṃ datvā bhattavelāya bhattassa patte pūretvā tassā ārocayiṃsu. Sā ‘‘maṃ pariggahetvā netha, ayye, vandissāmī’’ti vatvā tāhi pariggahetvā bhikkhūnaṃ santikaṃ nītā vedhamānena sarīrena bhikkhū vandi. So bhikkhu taṃ oloketvā cintesi – ‘‘gilānāya tāva evarūpā ayaṃ etissā rūpasobhā, arogakāle pana sabbābharaṇapaṭimaṇḍitāya imissā kīdisī rūpasampattī’’ti. Athassa anekavassakoṭisannicito kileso samudācari, so aññāṇī hutvā bhattaṃ bhuñjituṃ asakkonto pattamādāya vihāraṃ gantvā pattaṃ pidhāya ekamante ṭhapetvā cīvaraṃ pattharitvā nipajji.

A certain monk heard the visiting monk describe her good qualities, and in spite of the fact that he had never seen her, nevertheless fell in love with her. Said he to himself, "I ought to go see her."

So announcing that he was about to enter upon residence, he asked the monk who lived by her alms some questions. The visiting monk replied, "To-morrow, brother, remain in that house, assume the post of Elder of the Assembly, and you will receive the Eight Ticket-foods." The monk immediately took bowl and robe and went out. Early in the morning, as the dawn rose, he entered the Ticket-hall, assumed the post of Elder of the Assembly, and received the Eight Ticket-foods in the woman's house.

Now it so happened that on the day before, just as the monk who had received food in her house went out, the female lay disciple became afflicted with a disease, and therefore removed her jewels and lay down. When the monks came to receive the Eight Ticket-foods, her female slaves, seeing them, informed their mistress. Since she was unable to take their bowls in her own hands, provide them with seats, and wait upon them, she gave orders to her slaves, saying, "Women, take the bowls and provide the noble monks with seats; give them broth to drink and hard food to eat. When it is time to present boiled rice, fill their bowls and give them to the monks." "Very well, noble lady," replied the slaves. So they invited the monks within, gave them broth to drink and hard food to eat; and when it was time to present boiled rice, they filled their bowls and gave them to the monks. When they had so done, they went and informed their mistress. She said, "Take me and carry me with you, that I may pay my respects to the noble monks." So they took her and carried her with them; and when they brought her into the presence of the monks, she paid obeisance to them, her body all of a tremble.

When that monk looked upon her, he thought to himself, "Even in sickness this woman possesses wonderful beauty. What manner of beauty must she not possess when she is well and strong and adorned with all her adornments?" Thereupon human passion, accumulated during many millions of years, arose within him. He became indifferent to all about him and was unable to take food. He took his bowl and went back to the monastery; covering his bowl, he put it away; then he lay down, spreading out the skirt of his robe. A certain monk who was a companion of his tried to persuade him to eat, but without success, for he refused absolutely to take food.