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Chapter Twenty-Two -- The State of Woe

  1. The liar goes to the state of woe; also
    one who, having done (wrong), says, "I did not
    do it." People of base actions both, on departing
    they share the same destiny in the other world.
  2. There are many evil characters and
    uncontrolled people wearing the yellow robe. These
    wicked people will be born in states of woe because
    of their evil deeds.
  3. It would be better to swallow a red-hot
    iron ball, blazing like fire, than as an immoral
    and uncontrolled renunciate to eat the
    almsfood of the people.
  4. Four misfortunes befall the reckless person
    who consorts with another's spouse: acquisition
    of demerit, disturbed sleep, ill-repute and
    (rebirth in) states of woe.
  5. Such a person acquires demerit and an
    unhappy birth in the future. Brief is the pleasure
    of the frightened people, and the king
    imposes heavy punishment. Hence, let
    no person consort with another's spouse.
  6. Just as Kusa grass wrongly handled cuts
    the hand, even so a recluse's life wrongly lived
    drags one to a state of woe.
  7. Any loose act, any corrupt observance,
    any life of questionable celibacy--none of
    these bear much fruit.
  8. If anything is to be done, let one do it
    with sustained vigor. A lax monastic life stirs up
    the dust of passions all the more.
  9. An evil deed is better left undone, for
    such a deed torments one afterwards. But a good
    deed is better done, doing which one repents
    not later.
  10. Guard yourself closely like a border
    city, both within and without. Do not let slip
    this opportunity (for spiritual growth). For those
    who let slip this opportunity grieve when
    consigned to states of woe.
  11. Those who are ashamed of what they
    should not be ashamed of, and are not ashamed
    of what they should be ashamed of--upholding
    false views, they go to states of woe.
  12. Those who see something to fear where
    there is nothing to fear, and see nothing to fear
    where there is something to fear--upholding
    false views, they go to states of woe.
  13. Those who imagine evil where there is
    none, and do not see evil where it is--upholding
    false views, they go to states of woe.
  14. Those who discern the wrong as wrong
    and the right as right--upholding right views,
    they go to realms of bliss.

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