iti.81 Itivuttaka

Homage

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, I have seen beings, overwhelmed and with minds obsessed by receiving homage, upon the perishing of the body after death take rebirth in a state of misery, a bad bourn, a state of ruin, hell. I have seen beings, overwhelmed and with minds obsessed by not receiving homage … by both receiving homage and (later) not receiving homage, upon the perishing of the body after death take rebirth in a state of misery, a bad bourn, a state of ruin, hell.

“I say this, bhikkhus, without having learnt it from another recluse or brahmin… It is just because I myself have known it, seen it, and observed it, that I say: I have seen beings, overwhelmed and with minds obsessed by receiving homage … after death take rebirth in … hell.”

He is one who lives diligently
With concentration undisturbed,
Both when homage is paid to him
And when he receives no homage.

Meditating continuously, gifted
With subtle view and insight,
Enjoying the destruction of grasping—
They call such a one a “true man.”

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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Esteem

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“I’ve seen, mendicants, sentient beings whose minds are overcome and overwhelmed by honor. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.
I’ve seen sentient beings whose minds are overcome and overwhelmed by not being honored. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.
I’ve seen sentient beings whose minds are overcome and overwhelmed by both honor and by not being honored. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a place of loss, a bad place, the underworld, hell.
Now, I don’t say this because I’ve heard it from some other ascetic or brahmin.
I only say it because I’ve known, seen, and realized it for myself.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Whether they’re honored
or not honored, or both,
their immersion doesn’t waver
as they live diligently.
They persistently practice absorption
with subtle view and discernment.
Rejoicing in the ending of grasping,
they’re said to be a good person.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.