The Related Suttas Collection 9.13

1. In the Woods

Undisciplined Faculties

At one time several bhikkhus were staying in the Kosalan lands in a certain forest grove. They were restless, insolent, fickle, scurrilous, loose-tongued, unmindful, lacking focused awareness and samādhi, with straying minds and undisciplined faculties.

The deity haunting that forest had compassion for those bhikkhus, and wanted what’s best for them. So they approached those bhikkhus wanting to stir them up, and addressed them in verse:

“The bhikkhus used to live happily, as disciples of Gotama. Desireless they sought alms; desireless they used their lodgings. Knowing that the world was impermanent they made an end of suffering.

But now they’ve made themselves hard to look after, like chiefs in a village. They eat and eat and then lie down, unconscious in the homes of others.

Having raised my joined palms to the Saṅgha, I speak here only about certain people. They’re rejects, with no protector, just like those who have passed away.

I’m speaking about those who live negligently. To those who live diligently I pay homage.”

Impelled by that deity, those bhikkhus were struck with a sense of urgency.