Snp. 1.6 — Parābhava Sutta

Snp. 1.6

Parābhava Sutta

“The Downfall”

I have personally heard this.

At one time, The Blessed One was living at the monastery donated by Anāthapiṇḍika at Jeta’s Park, in the City of Sāvatthi.

Then, one night, in the early morning hours right before dawn, a certain Deva, glorious in appearance, manifested and began approaching The Blessed One and paid homage by worshipping Him.

Standing there to one side, while illuminating the entire monastery, the Deva addressed The Blessed One in verse, by saying:

91. “We have come to ask the Lord Gautama about a human being’s downfall. What is it, O! Holy One, that leads the way to his ruin and downfall?”

92. “It is easy to comprehend growth and success, as it is easy to comprehend the state of ruin and downfall. For while the lover of the Dhamma grows with success, but the hater of the Dhamma is met with unavoidable downfall.”

93. “We now comprehend this as the first cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its second reason, O Blessed Lord.”

94. “It is when one admires evil men and their ways, while despising good men and their behavior. Therefore, when the person approvingly follows the lifestyle of those evil ones, as a result, he is met with unavoidable downfall.”

95. “We now comprehend this as the second cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its third reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

96. “It is when one has no desire to excel or exert himself, and instead longs for sleep, while desiring companionship. Being thus lazy, angry, and resentful, he is met with unavoidable downfall.”

97. “We now comprehend this as the third cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its fourth reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

98. “When one can support one’s own mother and father, but chooses not to, despite his parents being old and having passed their prime, and now being in desperate need for his help. As a result, he is met with unavoidable downfall.”

99. “We now comprehend this as the fourth cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its fifth reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

100. “If by falsely speaking one deceives a holy man, a recluse, or any ascetic from other sects, as a result of his lying, he is met with unavoidable downfall.”

101. “We now comprehend this as the fifth cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its sixth reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

102. “It is when a person with abundant wealth, gold, and food, enjoys it all by himself, eating the finest of delicacies alone, without sharing them with others. As a result, he is met with unavoidable downfall.”

103. “We now comprehend this as the sixth cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its seventh reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

104. “If anyone, considering oneself as ‘noble’ because of one’s birth, or wealth, or clan, as he looks down upon others and his fellow man, then, as a result, he is met with unavoidable downfall.”

105. “We now comprehend this as the seventh cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its eighth reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

106. “It is when the person indulges in sex, uses intoxicating substances and drinks, while enjoying gambling, thus, wasting away all that he has. As a result, he is met with unavoidable downfall.”

107. “We now comprehend this as the eighth cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its ninth reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

108. “It is when the person, not being satisfied with their own mate, goes out and engages in sex with others, and with other people’s mates. As a result, they are met with unavoidable downfall.”

109. “We now comprehend this as the ninth cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its tenth reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

110. “It is when a man being old himself, gets married to a young woman with full breasts, and in the prime of her life. Because of his jealousy of her, he loses sleep, and as a result, is met with unavoidable downfall.”

111. “We now comprehend this as the tenth cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its eleventh reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

112. “It is when a person gives a leadership position to a man or a woman, who engages in taking intoxicating and mind- altering substances, who indulges in sex, in overspending, and other addictions as well. As a result, they are met with unavoidable downfall.”

113. “We now comprehend this as the eleventh cause for one’s downfall. Kindly speak to us of its twelfth reason, O! Blessed Lord.”

114. “It is when a person, although poor and of little means, possesses a strong craving to become part of the Khattiya or Warrior/Ruling class, desiring kingship in this world. As a result, he is met with unavoidable downfall.

115. “By having seen and comprehended for themselves these various causes for downfall in the world, the wise Noble Disciples, who are accomplished in their Insight, remain aloof and successful, living in and enjoying the bliss of peace.”

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