Three Causes (c)

Translated from the Pali by
F.L. Woodward, M.A.

[1] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī.

There the Exalted One addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

"Yes, lord," they replied,
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, there are these three causes of the origin of actions.

What three?

Desire is generated
for things which in the past
were based on desire.^[1]

Desire is generated
for things in the future,
based on desire.

Desire is generated
for things in the present,
based on desire.

2. And how, monks, is this desire generated
for things in the past which were based on desire?

One remembers
and turns over in his mind^[2]
thoughts about things
based on desire in the past.

As he does so
desire is generated.

Become desirous,^[3]
he is fettered by those things.

I call this a fetter, monks, -
that heart full of lust.^[4]

That is how desire is generated
for things which in the past
were based on desire.

■

3. And how, monks, is this desire generated
for things in the future
based on desire?

One thinks about
and turns over in his mind
thoughts of things
based on desire in the future.

As he does so,
desire is generated.

Become desirous,
he is fettered by those things.

I call this a fetter, monks, -
that heart full of lust.

That is how desire is generated
for things in the future
based on desire.

■

4. And how, monks, is this desire generated
for things in the present
based on desire?

One thinks about things
and turns over in his mind
thoughts of things
based on desire in the present.

As he does [243] so, desire is generated.

Become desirous,
he is fettered by those things.

I call this a fetter, monks, -
that heart full of lust.

That is how desire is generated
for things in the present
based upon desire.

These, monks, are the three causes of the origin of actions."

^[1] Ṭhānīye = kāraṇa-bhūte. Comy. Cf. S. v, 65.

^[2] Cetasā anuvitakketi anuvicāreti. Cf. S. v, 67.

^[3] Chanda-jāto = chandika, as at Sn. 767.

^[4] Text so cetaao sārāgo. Comy. yo c. s.