307. There are many evil
characters and uncontrolled men
wearing the saffron robe.
These wicked men will be born in states of woe because of their evil deeds.
308. It would be better
to swallow a red-hot iron ball,
blazing like fire, than as an immoral and uncontrolled monk
to eat the alms of the people.
309. Four misfortunes
befall the reckless man who consorts
with another's wife: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep,
ill-repute, and (rebirth in) states of woe.
310. Such a man acquires
demerit and an unhappy birth in the future.
Brief is the pleasure of the frightened man and woman,
and the king imposes heavy punishment.
Hence, let no man consort with another's wife.
311. Just as kusa
grass wrongly handled cuts the hand, even so,
a recluse's life wrongly lived drags one to states of woe.
312. Any loose act, any
corrupt observance,
any life of questionable celibacy -- none of these bear much fruit.
313. If anything is to
be done, let one do it with sustained vigor.
A lax monastic life stirs up the dust of passions all the more.
314. An evil deed is
better left undone,
for such a deed torments one afterwards.
But a good deed is better done, doing which one repents not later.
315. Just as a border
city is closely guarded both within and without, even so, guard yourself.
Do not let slip this opportunity (for spiritual growth).
For those who let slip this opportunity grieve indeed when consigned to
hell.
316. Those who are ashamed
of what they should not be ashamed of,
and are not ashamed of what they should be ashamed of
-- upholding false views, they go to states of woe.
317. Those who see something
to fear where there is nothing to fear,
and see nothing to fear where there is something to fear
-- upholding false views, they go to states of woe.
318. Those who imagine
evil where there is none,
and do not see evil where it is
-- upholding false views, they go to states of woe.
319. Those who discern
the wrong as wrong and the right as right
-- upholding right views, they go to realms of bliss.