5.
The Discourse on the Dung Beetle
161.
He was dwelling at Sāvatthī, etc.
"Severe, monks, is material gain, honour and fame, etc.
for the achievement.
Just as, monks, a dung beetle, a dung-eater, full of dung, stuffed with dung.
And before it is a great heap of dung.
It might despise another dung beetle -
'I am a dung-eater, full of dung, stuffed with dung, and before me is this great heap of dung.'
So too, monks, here a certain monk, overcome by material gain, honour and fame, with mind consumed, in the earlier period of the day, having dressed, taking his bowl and robe, enters a village or a market town for almsfood.
There he has eaten as much as he likes, and he is invited for tomorrow, and his almsfood is full.
Having gone to the monastery, he boasts in the midst of the group of monks -
'I have eaten as much as I liked, I am invited for tomorrow, and this almsfood of mine is full, I am an obtainer of the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodging and medicine for the sick, but these other monks are of little merit, of little influence, not obtainers of the requisites of robes, almsfood, lodging and medicine for the sick.'
He, overcome by material gain, honour and fame, with mind consumed, despises other well-behaved monks.
That indeed, monks, is for that foolish man's harm and suffering for a long time.
Thus severe, monks, is material gain, honour and fame, etc.
Thus indeed, monks, should you train."
The fifth.