Bait

1. I heard thus. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta's grove in Sāvatthi.

2. The Blessed One addressed the monks from there. “Monks, gain, honor and fame are severe, cruel and dangerous for him who wants to end unpleasantness.

3. “Monks, like the fish greedy for matter would swallow the bait thrown into deep water, would come to misfortune and disaster in the hands of the fisherman.

4. “Monks, fisherman is a synonym for Death and bait is a synonym for gain, honor and fame.

5. “Monks, whoever monk enjoys and desires gain honor and fame, is said, has swallowed Death's bait and would come to misfortune and disaster in the hands of Death, the Evil One.

6. “Monks, gain, honor and fame are severe, cruel and dangerous for him who wants to end unpleasantness.

7. “Therefore, monks, you should train thus: `We will get rid of arisen gain, honor and fame. Arisen gain, honor and fame will not take control of our minds.'

8. “Monks, you should train in this manner.”