Itivuttaka — Assim Foi Dito — 48 — Bound for Loss

1This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

2“Mendicants, these two are bound for a place of loss, bound for hell, if they don’t give up this fault. What two? Someone who is unchaste, but claims to be chaste; and someone who makes a groundless accusation of unchastity against a person whose chastity is pure. These are the two who are bound for a place of loss, bound for hell, if they don’t give up this fault.”

3The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

4“A liar goes to hell,
as does one who denies what they did.
Both are equal in the hereafter,
those men of base deeds.

5Many who wear a scrap of ocher cloth
are unrestrained and wicked.
Being wicked, they are reborn in hell
due to their bad deeds.

6It’d be better for the immoral and unrestrained
to eat an iron ball,
scorching, like a burning flame,
than to eat the nation’s alms.”

7This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.