1.
The Discourse on Several
157.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling among the Sakyans at Silāvatī.
Now at that time several monks were dwelling not far from the Blessed One, diligent, ardent, and resolute.
Then Māra the Evil One, having created the appearance of a brahmin, with a great mass of matted hair, wearing a cloak of cheetah hide, old, bent like a rafter, breathing heavily, having taken a fig-wood staff, approached those monks;
having approached, he said this to those monks -
"The sirs have gone forth while young, youths with black hair, endowed with the blessing of youth, in the first stage of life, ones who have not played in sensual pleasures.
Let the sirs enjoy human sensual pleasures.
Do not abandon what is visible here and now to run after what is temporal."
"We are not, brahmin, abandoning what is visible here and now to run after what is temporal.
Rather, brahmin, we are abandoning what is temporal to run after what is visible here and now.
For sensual pleasures, brahmin, have been declared by the Blessed One as temporal, having much suffering, much anguish, the danger here is greater.
This Teaching is visible here and now, immediately effective, inviting one to come and see, leading onward, to be individually experienced by the wise."
When this was said, Māra the Evil One, having shaken his head, having wagged his tongue, having raised three-lined wrinkles on his forehead, leaning on his staff, departed.
Then those monks approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One - "Here we, venerable sir, were dwelling not far from the Blessed One, diligent, ardent, and resolute. Then, venerable sir, a certain brahmin, with a great mass of matted hair, wearing a cloak of cheetah hide, old, bent like a rafter, breathing heavily, having taken a fig-wood staff, approached us; having approached, he said this to us - 'The sirs have gone forth while young, youths with black hair, endowed with the blessing of youth, in the first stage of life, ones who have not played in sensual pleasures. Let the sirs enjoy human sensual pleasures. Do not abandon what is visible here and now to run after what is temporal.' When this was said, venerable sir, we said this to that brahmin - 'We are not, brahmin, abandoning what is visible here and now to run after what is temporal. Rather, brahmin, we are abandoning what is temporal to run after what is visible here and now. For sensual pleasures, brahmin, have been declared by the Blessed One as temporal, having much suffering, much anguish, the danger here is greater. This Teaching is visible here and now, immediately effective, inviting one to come and see, leading onward, to be individually experienced by the wise.' When this was said, venerable sir, that brahmin, having shaken his head, having wagged his tongue, having raised three-lined wrinkles on his forehead, leaning on his staff, departed."
"That, monks, was no brahmin. This is Māra the Evil One, come for the purpose of blinding your vision." Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time spoke this verse -
How could that being incline towards sensual pleasures;
Having understood that clinging is attachment in the world,
A being should train for the removal of that very thing."