9.
The Discourse on the Elephant
231.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
Now at that time a certain new monk was visiting families for a protracted time.
The monks said this to him -
"Let not the venerable one visit families for a protracted time."
That monk, when spoken to by the monks, said thus -
"These elder monks will think it fit to visit families, far less then should I?"
Then several 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, venerable sir, a certain new monk is visiting families for a protracted time. The monks said this to him - 'Let not the venerable one visit families for a protracted time.' That monk, when spoken to by the monks, said thus - 'These elder monks will think it fit to visit families, far less then should I?'"
"Once in the past, monks, there was a great lake in a forest haunt. Elephants dwelt in dependence on it. They, having plunged into that lake, having pulled up lotus roots and fibres with their trunks, having washed them well, having chewed them free of mud, swallowed them. That was for their beauty and for their strength, and on that account they did not undergo death or suffering like death. But, monks, the young elephant calves, following the example of those great elephants, having plunged into that lake, having pulled up lotus roots and fibres with their trunks, not having washed them well, having chewed them with mud, not having properly masticated them, swallowed them. That was neither for their beauty nor for their strength. On that account they underwent death or suffering like death.
"So too, monks, here elder monks, in the earlier period of the day, having dressed, taking their bowls and robes, enter a village or a market town for almsfood. They speak the Teaching there. Householders show them signs of faith. They consume that gain not greedy, not infatuated, not immersed, seeing the danger, with wisdom of escape. That was for their beauty and for their strength, and on that account they did not undergo death or suffering like death. But, monks, new monks, following the example of those elder monks, in the earlier period of the day, having dressed, taking their bowls and robes, enter a village or a market town for almsfood. They speak the Teaching there. Householders show them signs of faith. They consume that gain greedy, infatuated, immersed, not seeing the danger, without wisdom of escape. That is neither for their beauty nor for their strength, and on that account they undergo death or suffering like death. Therefore, monks, you should train thus - 'Not greedy, not infatuated, not immersed, seeing the danger, with wisdom of escape, we shall consume that gain.' Thus indeed, monks, should you train." The ninth.