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AN 3.100 (3.98)
PTS: A i 246
Potthakasutta: The bark fibre gown
translated from the Pali by
sangham.net (Samana Johann) based on the translation of Sister Uppalavanna

"Bhikkhus, even a new bark fibre gown may be not comely, attractive to touch and be of low value, even a middling bark fibre gown may be not comely, attractive to touch and be of low value. Or even a decayed bark fibre gown may be not comely, attractive to touch and be of low value.

"The decayed bark fibre gown will be taken to wipe something or would be thrown into the rubbish heap.

"Bhikkhus, in the same manner even if a novice bhikkhu is with evil thoughts, I say he is not attractive. I compare him to the not comely bark fibre gown.

"They that serve him, associate him and imitate him will be mentally unwell and fall into unpleasantness for a long time. I say this is his unpleasant touch. I compare this to the not attractive touch of the bark fibre gown.

"They that offer him robes, morsel food, dwellings and requisites when ill are not well rewarded. I say, it is owing to his low value. I compare it to the low value of the bark fibre gown.

"Even if a middling ... re ... even if an elder bhikkhu is with evil thoughts, I say he is not attractive. I compare him to the not comely bark fibre gown.

"They that serve him, associate him and imitate him will be mentally unwell and fall into unpleasantness for a long time. I say this is his unpleasant touch. I compare this to the not attractive touch of the bark fibre gown.

"They that offer him robes, morsel food, dwellings and requisites when ill are not well rewarded. I say, it is owing to his low value. I compare it to the low value of the bark fibre gown.

"If such an elder bhikkhu speaks in the midst of the Colmmunity of bhikkhus, they would tell him: 'You foolish, not learned one, what have you to say, we think you have to be spoken to.' He would be displeased and angry and would speak displeased words. The Community would throw him out as the bark fibre gown that is thrown as rubbbish.

"Bhikkhus, even a new Kashmire gown is comely, attractive to touch and of high value, even a middling Kashmire gown is comely, attractive to touch and of high value. Or even a decayed Kashmire gown is comely, attractive to touch and of high value.

"The decayed Kashmire gown will be taken to cover jewels or would be put in the scented casket.

"Bhikkhus, in the same manner even if a novice bhikkhu is virtuous and with good conduct, that I say is his attractive looks. I compare him to the attractive Kashmire gown.

"They that serve him, associate him and imitate him will be mentally well and pleasant for a long time. I say this is his pleasant touch. I compare this to the attractive touch of the Kashmire gown.

"They that offer him robes, morsel food, dwellings and requisites when ill are well rewarded. I say, it is owing to his high value. I compare it to the high value of the Kashmire gown.

"Even if a middling ... re ... even if an elder bhikkhu is virtuous with good conduct, that I say is his attractive looks. I compare him to the attractive Kashmire gown.

"They that serve him, associate him and imitate him will be mentally well and pleasant for a long time. I say this is his pleasant touch. I compare this to the attractive touch of the Kashmire gown.

"They that offer him robes, morsel food, dwellings and requisites when ill are well rewarded. I say, it is owing to his high value. I compare it to the high value of the Kashmire gown.

"If such an elder bhikkhu speaks in the midst of the Colmmunity of bhikkhus, it would be told : 'Venerable ones, make no noise an elder is speaking on the Teaching and Discipline.' His words would be well treasured, either put in the scented casket or wrapt up in the Kashmire gown. Therefore bhikkhus you should train, we should be like the Kashmire gown and not like the bark fibre gown.

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