Occasional Release (b)

Translated by E. M. Hare

[1][olds] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied;
and the Exalted One said:

"Monks, these five things
lead to the falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.

What five?

Delight in (body) work,
delight in gossip,
delight in sleep,
delight in unguarded doors of the senses,
no moderation in eating.

Verily, monks, these five things
lead to the falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.

"Monks, these five things
lead to the not falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.

What five?

Non-delight in (body) work,
non-delight in gossip,
non-delight in sleep,
non-delight in unguarded doors of the senses,
and moderation in eating.

Verily, monks, these five things
lead to the not falling away
of a monk who is occasionally released.