8.
The Discourse on the Canvas
100.
"Even a new cloth, monks, is ugly and of unpleasant contact and of little value;
even a middling cloth, monks, is ugly and of unpleasant contact and of little value;
even an old cloth, monks, is ugly and of unpleasant contact and of little value.
Even an old cloth, monks, they use for wiping pots or they throw it on a rubbish heap.
"So too, monks, if even a new monk is immoral, of bad character. This I say of his ugliness. Just as that cloth, monks, is ugly, I say this person is similar to that, monks. Those who associate with him, keep company with him, attend upon him, follow the example of what they have seen in him, for them that is for their harm and suffering for a long time. This I say of his unpleasant contact. Just as that cloth, monks, is of unpleasant contact, I say this person is similar to that, monks. Those from whom he accepts the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodging and medicine for the sick, for them that is not of great fruit, not of great benefit. This I say of his being of little value. Just as that cloth, monks, is of little value, I say this person is similar to that, monks. If even a middling monk, monks, is etc. if even an elder monk, monks, is immoral, of bad character, this I say of his ugliness. Just as that cloth, monks, is ugly, I say this person is similar to that, monks. Those who associate with him, keep company with him, attend upon him, follow the example of what they have seen in him, for them that is for their harm and suffering for a long time. This I say of his unpleasant contact. Just as that cloth, monks, is of unpleasant contact, I say this person is similar to that, monks. Those from whom he accepts the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodging and medicine for the sick, for them that is not of great fruit, not of great benefit. This I say of his being of little value. Just as that cloth, monks, is of little value, I say this person is similar to that, monks.
"And such an elder monk, monks, speaks in the midst of the Community. The monks said this to him - 'What indeed is the use of your speaking, you fool, you inexperienced one, you too imagine you should speak!' He, angry and displeased, utters such speech by which speech the Community suspends him, like a cloth on a rubbish heap.
"Even a new Kāsi cloth is beautiful and of pleasant contact and very costly; even a middling Kāsi cloth, monks, is beautiful and of pleasant contact and very costly; even an old Kāsi cloth, monks, is beautiful and of pleasant contact and very costly. Even an old Kāsi cloth, monks, they use as a wrapper for jewels or they place it in a perfume casket.
"So too, monks, if even a new monk is moral, of good character, this I say is his beauty. Just as, monks, Kāsi cloth is colourful, I say this person is similar to that, monks. Those who associate with him, keep company with him, attend upon him, follow the example of what they have seen in him, for them that is for their welfare and happiness for a long time. This I say is his pleasant contact. Just as, monks, Kāsi cloth is pleasant to touch, I say this person is similar to that, monks. Those from whom he accepts the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodging and medicine for the sick, for them that is of great fruit and great benefit. This I say is his costliness. Just as, monks, Kāsi cloth is very costly, I say this person is similar to that, monks. If even a middling monk, monks, is etc. if even an elder monk, monks, is etc. I say this person.
"And such an elder monk, monks, speaks in the midst of the Community. The monks said this to him - 'Let the venerable ones be quiet, the elder monk speaks the Teaching and the discipline.' Therefore, monks, you should train thus - 'We shall be like Kāsi cloth, not like coarse cloth.' Thus indeed, monks, should you train." The eighth.