8.
The First Discourse on Decline
28.
Thus have I heard -
On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park.
There the Blessed One addressed the monks thus:
"Monks, there are these seven things that lead to the decline of a monk who is a learner.
Which seven?
Taking pleasure in work, taking pleasure in talk, taking pleasure in sleep, taking pleasure in company, not guarding the doors of the sense faculties, immoderation in eating, and there are Community duties in the Community;
there a trainee monk considers thus -
'There are indeed in the Community elder monks of long standing, long gone forth, bearing the burden, they will become known by that' - he himself commits to exertion in them.
These, monks, are the seven things that lead to the decline of a monk who is a learner.
"Monks, there are these seven things that lead to the non-decline of a monk who is a learner. Which seven? Not taking pleasure in work, not taking pleasure in talk, not taking pleasure in sleep, not taking pleasure in company, guarding the doors of the sense faculties, moderation in eating, and there are Community duties in the Community; there a trainee monk considers thus - 'There are indeed in the Community elder monks of long standing, long gone forth, bearing the burden, they will become known by that' - he himself does not commit to exertion in them. These, monks, are the seven things that lead to the non-decline of a monk who is a learner." The eighth.