8.
The Discourse on Those of Other Sects
69.
"If, monks, heterodox wandering ascetics were to ask thus -
'There are these three mental states, friend.
Which three?
Lust, hate, delusion -
these, friend, are the three mental states.
Of these three mental states, friend, what is the distinction, what is the disparity, what is the difference?'
Thus asked, you, monks, how would you answer those heterodox wandering ascetics?"
"The teachings have the Blessed One as their root, venerable sir, have the Blessed One as their guide, have the Blessed One as their refuge.
It would be good indeed, venerable sir, if the meaning of this statement would occur to the Blessed One himself.
Having heard from the Blessed One, the monks will remember it."
"Well then, monks, listen, pay close attention;
I will speak."
"Yes, venerable sir," those monks assented to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this:
"If, monks, heterodox wandering ascetics were to ask thus - 'There are these three mental states, friend. Which three? Lust, hate, delusion - these, friend, are the three mental states; of these three mental states, friend, what is the distinction, what is the disparity, what is the difference?' Thus asked, you, monks, should answer those heterodox wandering ascetics thus - 'Lust, friend, is of little fault but slow to fade away, hate is of great fault but quick to fade away, delusion is of great fault but slow to fade away.'
'But what, friend, is the cause, what is the condition, by which unarisen lust arises, or arisen lust leads to increase and expansion?' 'The sign of the beautiful should be said to him. For one unwisely attending to the sign of the beautiful, unarisen lust arises, or arisen lust leads to increase and expansion. This, friend, is the cause, this is the condition, by which unarisen lust arises, or arisen lust leads to increase and expansion.'
'But what, friend, is the cause, what is the condition, by which unarisen hate arises, or arisen hate leads to increase and expansion?' 'The sign of aversion should be said to him. For one unwisely attending to the sign of aversion, unarisen hate arises, or arisen hate leads to increase and expansion. This, friend, is the cause, this is the condition, by which unarisen hate arises, or arisen hate leads to increase and expansion.'
"'But what, friend, is the cause, what is the condition, by which unarisen delusion arises, or arisen delusion leads to increase and expansion?' 'Unwise attention should be said to him. For one unwisely attending, unarisen delusion arises, or arisen delusion leads to increase and expansion. This, friend, is the cause, this is the condition, by which unarisen delusion arises, or arisen delusion leads to increase and expansion.'"
"'But what, friend, is the cause, what is the condition, by which unarisen lust does not arise, and arisen lust is abandoned?' 'The sign of foulness should be said to him. For one wisely attending to the sign of foulness, unarisen lust does not arise, and arisen lust is abandoned. This, friend, is the cause, this is the condition, by which unarisen lust does not arise, and arisen lust is abandoned.'"
"'But what, friend, is the cause, what is the condition, by which unarisen hate does not arise, and arisen hate is abandoned?' 'The liberation of mind through friendliness should be said to him. For one wisely attending to the liberation of mind through friendliness, unarisen hate does not arise, and arisen hate is abandoned. This, friend, is the cause, this is the condition, by which unarisen hate does not arise, and arisen hate is abandoned.'"
"'But what, friend, is the cause, what is the condition, by which unarisen delusion does not arise, and arisen delusion is abandoned?' 'Wise attention should be said to him. For one wisely attending, unarisen delusion does not arise, and arisen delusion is abandoned. This, friend, is the cause, this is the condition, by which unarisen delusion does not arise, and arisen delusion is abandoned.'" The eighth.