8.
The Second Discourse on the Leash
100.
At Sāvatthī.
"This wandering in the round of rebirths, monks, is without discernible beginning.
A first point is not discerned of beings hindered by ignorance, fettered by craving, transmigrating and wandering in the round of rebirths.
Just as, monks, a dog bound by a leash, tied to a firm stake or post.
If he goes, he approaches that very stake or post;
if he stands, he stands close to that very stake or post;
if he sits down, he sits close to that very stake or post;
if he lies down, he lies down close to that very stake or post.
So too, monks, an ignorant worldling regards matter thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self.'
Feeling...
perception...
activities...
he regards consciousness thus: 'This is mine, this I am, this is my self.'
If he goes, he approaches these five aggregates of clinging;
if he stands, he stands close to these five aggregates of clinging;
if he sits down, he sits close to these five aggregates of clinging;
if he lies down, he lies down close to these five aggregates of clinging.
Therefore, monks, one's own mind should be constantly reviewed:
'For a long time this mind has been defiled by lust, hate, and delusion.'
Through the defilement of the mind, monks, beings become defiled;
through the cleansing of the mind, beings become purified.
"Have you seen, monks, a picture called 'travelling'?" "Yes, venerable sir." "That picture called 'travelling', monks, was designed by the mind itself. By that travelling picture, monks, the mind itself is even more varied. Therefore, monks, one's own mind should be constantly reviewed: 'For a long time this mind has been defiled by lust, hate, and delusion.' Through the defilement of the mind, monks, beings become defiled; through the cleansing of the mind, beings become purified.
"I do not, monks, perceive any other single order of beings with such a mind. That is to say, monks, animals; those animals too, monks, are diversified by mind alone, and by those animals too, monks, the mind itself is more diversified. Therefore, monks, one's own mind should be constantly reviewed: 'For a long time this mind has been defiled by lust, hate, and delusion.' Through the defilement of the mind, monks, beings become defiled; through the cleansing of the mind, beings become purified.
"Just as, monks, a washerman or a painter, with dye or lac or turmeric or indigo or crimson, on a well-polished board or wall or cloth, might create a woman's form or a man's form complete with all major and minor limbs; so too, monks, an ignorant worldling, producing, produces just matter, just feeling... etc. just to perception... just activities... producing, produces just consciousness. What do you think, monks, is matter permanent or impermanent?" "Impermanent, venerable sir." "Feeling... perception... activities... consciousness... etc. "Therefore, monks, seeing thus... etc. He understands: ... there is no more coming back to any state of being.'" The eighth.