9.
The Discourse on the Inner Stain
88.
This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Worthy One, thus have I heard:
"There are these three inner stains, inner enemies, inner foes, inner murderers, inner adversaries, monks. Which three? Greed, monks, is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary. Hate, monks, is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary. Delusion, monks, is an inner stain, an inner enemy, an inner foe, an inner murderer, an inner adversary. These, monks, are the three inner stains, inner enemies, inner foes, inner murderers, inner adversaries." The Blessed One said this meaning. Therein this is said:
The danger born from within, that people do not understand.
Then there is deep darkness, when greed overcomes a man.
Greed is abandoned from him, like a water drop from a lotus.
The danger born from within, that people do not understand.
Then there is deep darkness, when hate overcomes a man.
Hate is abandoned from him, like a palm fruit from its stalk.
The danger born from within, that people do not understand.
Then there is deep darkness, when delusion overcomes a man.
He dispels all delusion, like the sun at its rising dispels darkness."
This meaning too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus have I heard. The ninth.