Saṃyutta Nikāya
3. Khandha Vagga
27. Kilesa Saṃyutta
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
3. The Book Called the Khandhā-Vagga
Containing Kindred Sayings on the Elements of Sensory Existence and other Subjects
27. Kindred Sayings on the Corruptions[1]
Sutta 1
Cakkhu Suttaṃ
The Eye
Translated by F. L. Woodward
Edited by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Copyright The Pali Text Society
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The Exalted One was once staying near Sāvatthī
at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
And there the Exalted One addressed the brethren, saying:
"Brethren!"
"Master!" responded those brethren.
The Exalted One said:
"Brethren, the desire-and-lust that is in the eye
is a corruption of the heart.
The desire-and-lust that is in the ear
is a corruption of the heart.
The desire-and-lust that is in the nose
is a corruption of the heart.
The desire-and-lust that is in the tongue
is a corruption of the heart.
The desire-and-lust that is in the body
is a corruption of the heart.
The desire-and-lust that is in the mind
is a corruption of the heart.
But, brethren, when in a brother
the heart's corruption
in these six points
is put away,
and his heart is bent on renunciation,
then, compassed about[2] with renunciation,
his heart is seen to be pliable[3]
for penetrating those things
that are to be realized.'[4]
[1] Ten kilesa's are given in Abhidhamma (Bud. Psy. Eth., § 1229 f.); greed, hate, dullness, conceit, speculative opinion, perplexity, stolidity, distraction, unconscientiousness, indiscretion.
[2] Paribhāvitaṇ. Cf. supra, xxii, § 101.
[3] At S. v, 92-3 the corruptions or flaws of the different metals are enumerated, which make them incapable of perfect workmanship. Then the five corruptions or faults of the heart are given: failure to be soft, pliable, shining, delicate and capable of perfect moulding. So we read in cases where the Master is turning an enquirer to salvation, he questions, exhorts, chides, calms, fires and arouses him. Then, seeing that his heart is pliable, he opens up the deeper matters of the Norm.
[4] Abhiññā sacchikaraṇīyesu dhammesu.
