Dhammapada 3.6.p3

3.6.p3

Tato cintayiṃsu – ‘‘bhadantā imaṃ temāsaṃ idheva maññe vasissanti, idheva kho pana imesu vasantesu amhākaṃ rukkhe abhiruhitvā nisīditumpi na yuttaṃ, temāsaṃ puttadāre gahetvā bhūmiyaṃ nisīdanaṭṭhānānipi dukkhāni, kiñci katvā ime bhikkhū palāpetuṃ vaṭṭatī’’ti. Tā tesu tesu rattiṭṭhānadivāṭṭhānesu ceva caṅkamanakoṭīsu ca chinnasīsāni kabandhāni dassetuṃ amanussasaddañca bhāvetuṃ ārabhiṃsu. Bhikkhūnaṃ khipitakāsādayo rogā pavattiṃsu. Te aññamaññaṃ ‘‘tuyhaṃ, āvuso, kiṃ rujjatī’’ti pucchantā, ‘‘mayhaṃ khipitarogo, mayhaṃ kāso’’ti vatvā, ‘‘āvuso, ahaṃ ajja caṅkamanakoṭiyaṃ chinnasīsaṃ addasaṃ, ahaṃ rattiṭṭhāne kabandhaṃ addasaṃ, ahaṃ divāṭṭhāne amanussasaddaṃ assosiṃ, parivajjetabbayuttakamidaṃ ṭhānaṃ, amhākaṃ idha aphāsukaṃ ahosi, satthu santikaṃ gamissāmā’’ti nikkhamitvā anupubbena satthu santikaṃ gantvā vanditvā ekamantaṃ nisīdiṃsu.

Then they thought to themselves, “It is doubtless the intention of the monks to remain right here during these three months. But if they do remain here, it will be improper for us to take son and wife, climb the trees, and live here for three months. Moreover, it will greatly weary us to sit here on the ground. By what means can we best drive these monks away?” Accordingly in the night-quarters, in the day-quarters, and at the ends of the cloisters the spirits caused the monks to see bodiless heads and headless trunks and to hear the voices of demons. At the same time the monks were afflicted with sneezing and coughing and suffered from many other ailments besides. They said to each other, “Brother, what ails you?” “I am afflicted with sneezing. I am afflicted with coughing.” “Brethren, to-day, at the end of the cloister, I saw a bodiless head. Brethren, in the night-quarters I saw a headless trunk. Brethren, in the day-quarters I heard a demon’s voice. We ought by all means to leave this place; this is an unpleasant place for us. Let us go to the Teacher.”

Accordingly they departed from the forest-grove, went in due course to the Teacher, paid obeisance to him, and sat down respectfully on one side. Said the Teacher to them, “Monks, were you unable to dwell in that place?” “Even so, Reverend Sir. While we dwelt there, such fearful objects as these presented themselves to our sight. The place was so unpleasant for us that we decided we must leave it. Therefore we have abandoned it and have returned to you." "Monks, to that very place you ought to return." "We cannot do so, Reverend Sir." "Monks, when you went there the first time, you went without a weapon. Now you must take a weapon with you when you go." "What kind of weapon, Reverend Sir?"