Saṁyutta Nikāya:
III. Khandhā Vagga:
27: Kilesa Saṁutta

Kindred Sayings on the Corruptions¹

Sutta 1

Cakkhu Suttaṁ

The Eye

 

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Thus have I heard:

The Exalted One was once staying near Sāvatthī
at the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

And there the Exalted One addressed the brethren, saying:

"Brethren!"

"Master!" responded those brethren.

The Exalted One said:

"Brethren, the desire-and-lust that is in the eye
is a corruption of the heart.

The desire-and-lust that is in the ear
is a corruption of the heart.

The desire-and-lust that is in the nose
is a corruption of the heart.

The desire-and-lust that is in the tongue
is a corruption of the heart.

The desire-and-lust that is in the body
is a corruption of the heart.

The desire-and-lust that is in the mind
is a corruption of the heart.

But, brethren, when in a brother
the heart's corruption
in these six points
is put away,
and his heart is bent on renunciation,
then, compassed about² with renunciation,
his heart is seen to be pliable³
for penetrating those things
that are to be realized.'⁴

 

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¹ Ten kilesa's are given in Abhidhamma (Bud. Psy. Eth., § 1229 f.); greed, hate, dullness, conceit, speculative opinion, perplexity, stolidity, distraction, unconscientiousness, indiscretion.

² Paribhāvitaṅ. Cf. supra, xxii, § 101.

³ At S. v, 92-3 the corruptions or flaws of the different metals are enumerated, which make them incapable of perfect workmanship. Then the five corruptions or faults of the heart are given: failure to be soft, pliable, shining, delicate and capable of perfect moulding. So we read in cases where the Master is turning an enquirer to salvation, he questions, exhorts, chides, calms, fires and arouses him. Then, seeing that his heart is pliable, he opens up the deeper matters of the Norm.

⁴ Abhiññā sacchikaraṇīyesu dhammesu.