Verses on Dhamma 6.10.p2

6.10.p2

Sāvatthiyaṃ kira ekavīthivāsino manussā samaggā hutvā gaṇabandhena dānaṃ datvā sabbarattiṃ dhammassavanaṃ kāresuṃ, sabbarattiṃ pana dhammaṃ sotuṃ nāsakkhiṃsu. Ekacce kāmaratinissitā hutvā, puna gehameva gatā, ekacce dosanissitā hutvā, ekacce mānanissitā hutvā, ekacce thinamiddhasamaṅgino hutvā tattheva nisīditvā pacalāyantā sotuṃ nāsakkhiṃsu. Punadivase bhikkhū taṃ pavattiṃ ñatvā dhammasabhāyaṃ kathaṃ samuṭṭhāpesuṃ. Satthā āgantvā ‘‘kāya nuttha, bhikkhave, etarahi kathāya sannisinnā’’ti pucchitvā ‘‘imāya nāmā’’ti vutte, ‘‘bhikkhave, imā sattā nāma yebhuyyena bhavanissitā, bhavesu eva laggā viharanti, pāragāmino nāma appakā’’ti anusandhiṃ ghaṭetvā dhammaṃ desento imā gāthā āha –

We are told that the residents of a certain street in Sāvatthi banded themselves together, gave alms in common, and determined to spend the entire night in hearing the Law. But they were unable to listen to the Law all night long. Some were overcome with

sexual passion and returned home again; others were overcome with hatred; others, falling prey to sloth and torpor, sat down in their places, nodded, and failed to hear the Law.

On the following day the monks heard of the incident and discussed it in the Hall of Truth. The Teacher came in and asked them, “Monks, what are you sitting here now talking about?” They told him. “Monks, creatures here in this world are for the most part attached to existence, and live clinging to the three modes of existence. Those that go to the other shore are few in number.” And joining the connection and instructing them in the Law, he pronounced the following Stanzas,