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iti.79 Itivuttaka

Falling Away

This was said by the Lord…

“Three things, bhikkhus, lead to the falling away of a learner bhikkhu. What are the three? Here, a learner bhikkhu enjoys activity, is fond of activity, enjoys indulging in activity. He enjoys gossip, is fond of gossip, enjoys indulging in gossip. He enjoys sleep, is fond of sleep, enjoys indulging in sleep. These are the three things that lead to the falling away of a learner bhikkhu.

“Three things, bhikkhus, protect a learner bhikkhu from falling away. What are the three? Here, a learner bhikkhu does not enjoy activity, is not fond of activity, does not enjoy indulging in activity. He does not enjoy gossip, is not fond of gossip, does not enjoy indulging in gossip. He does not enjoy sleep, is not fond of sleep, does not enjoy indulging in sleep. These are the three things that protect a learner bhikkhu from falling away.”

A bhikkhu who enjoys activity,
Restless, fond of gossip and sleep,
Will never be able to attain
Enlightenment which is supreme.

Thus let him restrict his duties,
Give up sloth and restlessness;
Such a bhikkhu can attain
Enlightenment which is supreme.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

Decline

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“These three things lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.
What three?
It’s when a mendicant relishes work,
talk,
and sleep.
These three things lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.
These three things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.
What three?
It’s when a mendicant doesn’t relish work,
talk,
and sleep.
These three things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Restless, they relish
work, talk, and sleep.
Such a mendicant is incapable
of touching the highest awakening.
That’s why one ought have few duties,
being wakeful and stable.
Such a mendicant is capable
of touching the highest awakening.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.