an.8.10 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Trash

On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Campā on a bank of the Gaggārā Lotus Pond. Now on that occasion bhikkhus were reproving a bhikkhu for an offense. When being reproved, that bhikkhu answered evasively, diverted the discussion to an irrelevant subject, and displayed anger, hatred, and resentment. Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus, eject this person! Bhikkhus, eject this person! This person should be banished. Why should another’s son vex you?

“Here, bhikkhus, so long as the bhikkhus do not see his offense, a certain person has the same manner (1) of going forward and (2) returning, (3) of looking ahead and (4) looking aside, (5) of bending and (6) stretching his limbs, and (7) of wearing his robes and (8) carrying his outer robe and bowl as the good bhikkhus. When, however, they see his offense, they know him as a corruption among ascetics, just chaff and trash among ascetics. Then they expel him. For what reason? So that he doesn’t corrupt the good bhikkhus.

“Suppose that when a field of barley is growing, some blighted barley would appear that would be just chaff and trash among the barley. As long as its head has not come forth, its roots would be just like those of the other crops, the good barley; its stem would be just like that of the other crops, the good barley; its leaves would be just like those of the other crops, the good barley. When, however, its head comes forth, they know it as blighted barley, just chaff and trash among the barley. Then they pull it up by the root and cast it out from the barley field. For what reason? So that it doesn’t spoil the good barley.

“So too, so long as the bhikkhus do not see his offense, a certain person here has the same manner of going forward … and carrying his outer robe and bowl as the good bhikkhus. When, however, they see his offense, they know him as a corruption among ascetics, just chaff and trash among ascetics. Then they expel him. For what reason? So that he doesn’t corrupt the good bhikkhus.

“Suppose that when a large heap of grain is being winnowed, the grains that are firm and pithy form a pile on one side, and the wind blows the spoiled grains and chaff to another side. Then the owners take a broom and sweep them even further away. For what reason? So that they don’t spoil the good grain.

“So too, so long as the bhikkhus do not see his offense, a certain person here has the same manner of going forward … and carrying his outer robe and bowl as the others, the good bhikkhus. When, however, the bhikkhus see his offense, they know him as a corruption among ascetics, just chaff and trash among ascetics. Then they expel him. For what reason? So that he doesn’t corrupt the good bhikkhus.

“Suppose a man needs a gutter for a well. He would take a sharp axe and enter the woods. He would strike a number of trees with the blade of his axe. When so struck, the firm and pithy trees would give off a dull sound, but those that are inwardly rotten, corrupt, and decayed would give off a hollow sound. The man would cut this tree down at its foot, cut off the crown, thoroughly clean it out, and use it as a gutter for a well.

“So too, bhikkhus, so long as the bhikkhus do not see his offense, a certain person here has the same manner of going forward and returning, of looking ahead and looking aside, of bending and stretching his limbs, of wearing his robes and carrying his outer robe and bowl, as the good bhikkhus. When, however, the bhikkhus see his offense, they know him as a corruption among ascetics, just chaff and trash among ascetics. Then they expel him. For what reason? So that he doesn’t corrupt the good bhikkhus.”

By living together with him, know him as
an angry person with evil desires;
a denigrator, obstinate, and insolent,
envious, miserly, and deceptive.

He speaks to people just like an ascetic,
addressing them with a calm voice,
but secretly he does evil deeds,
holds pernicious views, and lacks respect.

Though he is devious, a speaker of lies,
you should know him as he truly is;
then you should all meet in harmony
and firmly drive him away.

Get rid of the trash!
Remove the depraved fellows!
Sweep the chaff away, non-ascetics
who think themselves ascetics!

Having banished those of evil desires,
of bad conduct and resort,
dwell in communion, ever mindful,
the pure with the pure;
then, in harmony, alert,
you will make an end of suffering.

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Trash

Then in harmony, alert,
When you’ve thrown out those of wicked desires,
of bad behavior and alms-resort,
dwell in communion, ever mindful,
the pure with the pure.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Campā on the banks of the Gaggarā Lotus Pond.
Now at that time the mendicants accused a mendicant of an offense.
The accused mendicant dodged the issue, distracted the discussion with irrelevant points, and displayed annoyance, hate, and bitterness.
Then the Buddha said to the mendicants,
“Mendicants, throw this person out!
Throw this person out!
This person should be shown the door.
Why should you be vexed by an outsider?
Take a case where a certain person looks just the same as other good-natured mendicants when going out and coming back, when looking ahead and aside, when bending and extending the limbs, and when bearing the outer robe, bowl and robes.
That is, so long as the mendicants don’t notice his offense.
But when the mendicants notice the offense, they know that he’s
a corrupt ascetic, just useless trash.
When they realize this they send him away.
Why is that?
So that he doesn’t corrupt good-natured mendicants.
Suppose in a growing field of barley some bad barley appeared, just useless trash.
Its roots, stem, and leaves would look just the same as the healthy barley.


That is, so long as the head doesn’t appear.
But when the head appears, they know that it’s
bad barley, just useless trash.
When they realize this they pull it up by the roots and throw it outside the field.
Why is that?
So that it doesn’t spoil the good barley.
In the same way, take a case where a certain person looks just the same as other good-natured mendicants when going out and coming back, when looking ahead and aside, when bending and extending the limbs, and when bearing the outer robe, bowl and robes.
That is, so long as the mendicants don’t notice his offense.
But when the mendicants notice the offense, they know that he’s
a corrupt ascetic, just useless trash.
When they realize this they send him away.
Why is that?
So that he doesn’t corrupt good-natured mendicants.
Suppose that a large heap of grain is being winnowed. The grains that are firm and substantial form a heap on one side. And the grains that are flimsy and insubstantial are blown over to the other side.
Then the owners take a broom and sweep them even further away.
Why is that?
So that it doesn’t spoil the good grain.
In the same way, take a case where a certain person looks just the same as other good-natured mendicants when going out and coming back, when looking ahead and aside, when bending and extending the limbs, and when bearing the outer robe, bowl and robes.
That is, so long as the mendicants don’t notice his offense.
But when the mendicants notice the offense, they know that he’s
a corrupt ascetic, just useless trash.
When they realize this they send him away.
Why is that?
So that he doesn’t corrupt good-natured mendicants.
Suppose a man needs an irrigation gutter for a well. He’d take a sharp axe and enter the wood,
where he’d knock various trees with the axe. The trees that were firm and substantial made a cracking sound.
But the trees that were rotten inside, decomposing and decayed, made a thud.
He’d cut down such a tree at the root, lop off the crown, and thoroughly clear out the insides. Then he’d use it as an irrigation gutter for the well.
In the same way, take a case where a certain person looks just the same as other good-natured mendicants when going out and coming back, when looking ahead and aside, when bending and extending the limbs, and when bearing the outer robe, bowl and robes.
That is, so long as the mendicants don’t notice his offense.
But when the mendicants notice the offense, they know that he’s
a corrupt ascetic, just useless trash.
When they realize this they send him away.
Why is that?
So that he doesn’t corrupt good-natured mendicants.
By living together, know that
they’re irritable, with wicked desires,
offensive, stubborn, and contemptuous,
jealous, stingy, and devious.
They speak to people with a voice
so smooth, just like an ascetic.
But they act in secret, with their bad views
and their lack of regard for others.
You should recognize them for what they are:
a creep and liar.
Then having gathered in harmony,
you should expel them.
Throw out the trash!
Get rid of the rubbish!
And sweep away the scraps—
they’re not ascetics, they just think they are.
make an end of suffering.”