                            PARABHAVA SUTTA
                            ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                                          
                               (Downfall)
  
  
  
  
      While the Mangala Sutta deals with the way of life conducive to 
  progress and happiness, the Parabhava Sutta supplements it by pointing 
  out the causes of downfall. He who allows himself to become tarnished 
  by these blemishes of conduct blocks his own road to worldly, moral 
  and spiritual progress and lowers all that is truly noble and human in 
  man. But he who is heedful of these dangers keeps open the road to all 
  those thirty-eight blessings of which human nature is capable.
  
                                  *  *  *
  
      Thus have I heard. Once the Exalted One was dwelling at 
  Anathapindika's monastery, in the Jeta Grove, near Savatthi.
      
      Now when the night was far spent a certain deity whose surpassing 
  splendour illuminated the entire Jeta Grove, came to the presence of 
  the Exalted One and, drawing near, respectfully saluted Him and stood 
  at one side. Standing thus, he addressed the Exalted One in verse:-
  
  The Deity:
      Having come here with our questions to the Exalted One, we ask 
  thee, O Gotama, about man's decline. Pray, tell us the cause of 
  downfall!
  
  The Buddha:
      Easily known is the progressive one, easily known he who declines. 
  He who loves Dhamma progresses; he who is averse to it, declines.
  
  The Deity:
      Thus much do we see: this is the first cause of one's downfall. 
  Pray, tell us the second cause.<1>
       
  The Buddha:
      The wicked are dear to him, with the virtuous he finds no delight, 
  he prefers the creed of the wicked -- this is a cause of one's 
  downfall.
      
      Being fond of sleep, fond of company, indolent, lazy and 
  irritable -- this is the cause of one's downfall.
      
      Though being well-to-do, not to support father and mother who are 
  old and past their youth -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      To deceive by falsehood a brahmin or ascetic or any other 
  mendicant -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      To have much wealth and ample gold and food, but to enjoy one's 
  luxuries alone -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      To be proud of birth, of wealth or clan, and to despise one's own 
  kinsmen -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      To be a rake, a drunkard, a gambler, and to squander all one 
  earns -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      Not to be contented with one's own wife, and to be seen with 
  harlots and the wives of others -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      Being past one's youth, to take a young wife and to be unable to 
  sleep for jealousy of her -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      To place in authority a woman given to drink and squandering, or a 
  man of a like behaviour -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      To be of noble birth, with vast ambition and of slender means, and 
  to crave for rulership -- this is a cause of one's downfall.
      
      Knowing well these causes of downfall in the world, the noble sage 
  endowed with insight shares a happy realm.
  
                                       Sutta-nipata, vv. 91-115
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
                                  NOTE
                                  ~~~~
  
  <1>  These lines are repeated after each stanza, with the due 
       enumeration.
  
  
  
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