3.
Discourse on the Simile of the Moon
146.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Like the moon, monks, approach families -
having drawn back the body, having drawn back the mind, always as newcomers among families, not impudent.
Just as, monks, a man might look at a decayed well, or a mountain precipice, or a river fastness -
having drawn back the body, having drawn back the mind;
so too, monks, like the moon, approach families -
having drawn back the body, having drawn back the mind, always as newcomers among families, not impudent."
"Kassapa, monks, like the moon, approaches families - having drawn back the body, having drawn back the mind, always as a newcomer among families, not impudent. What do you think, monks, what kind of monk is worthy to approach families?" "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, have the Blessed One as their refuge. It would be good indeed, venerable sir, if the meaning of this statement would occur to the Blessed One himself. Having heard from the Blessed One, the monks will remember it."
Then the Blessed One waved his hand in the air. "Just as, monks, this hand in the air does not cling, is not seized, is not bound; so too, monks, for whatever monk approaching families, his mind among families does not cling, is not seized, is not bound - 'Let those desiring gain obtain, let those desiring merit make merit'; just as he is pleased and glad with his own gain, so he is pleased and glad with the gain of others; such a monk, monks, is worthy to approach families.
"When Kassapa, monks, approaches families, his mind among families does not cling, is not seized, is not bound - 'Let those desiring gain obtain, let those desiring merit make merit'; just as he is pleased and glad with his own gain; so he is pleased and glad with the gain of others.
"What do you think, monks, for what kind of monk is the proclamation of the Teaching impure, for what kind of monk is the proclamation of the Teaching pure?" "The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, have the Blessed One as their refuge. It would be good indeed, venerable sir, if the meaning of this statement would occur to the Blessed One himself. Having heard from the Blessed One, the monks will remember it." "Well then, monks, listen, pay close attention; I will speak." "Yes, venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:
"Whoever indeed, monks, a monk with such a mind expounds the Teaching to others - 'Oh, may they listen to my Teaching, and having listened, may they be pleased with the Teaching, and being pleased, may they show me a sign of their pleasure!' For such a monk, monks, the proclamation of the Teaching is impure.
"But whoever, monks, a monk with such a mind expounds the Teaching to others - 'Well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Teaching, visible here and now, immediately effective, inviting one to come and see, leading onward, to be individually experienced by the wise.' Oh, may they listen to my Teaching, and having listened, may they understand the Teaching, and having understood, may they proceed towards that state.' Thus dependent on the excellence of the Teaching as Teaching, he expounds the Teaching to others; dependent on compassion, dependent on sympathy, out of pity, he expounds the Teaching to others. For such a monk, monks, the proclamation of the Teaching is pure.
"Kassapa, monks, with such a mind expounds the Teaching to others - 'Well proclaimed by the Blessed One is the Teaching, visible here and now, immediately effective, inviting one to come and see, leading onward, to be individually experienced by the wise.' Oh, may they listen to my Teaching, and having listened, may they understand the Teaching, and having understood, may they proceed towards that state.' Thus dependent on the excellence of the Teaching as Teaching, he expounds the Teaching to others; dependent on compassion, dependent on sympathy, out of pity, he expounds the Teaching to others. For I shall exhort you, monks, with Kassapa or with one who is like Kassapa, and being exhorted, you should proceed towards that state." The third.