相应部第 9 相应（Sujato 英译）第 14 阅读页 · SN9.14 · The Thief of Scent

Linked Discourses 9.14Linked Discourses 9.141. In the Woods1. In the Woods

The Thief of ScentThe Thief of ScentAt one time one of the mendicants was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.At one time one of the mendicants was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.Now at that time, after the meal, on their return from almsround, that mendicant plunged into a lotus pond and sniffed a pink lotus.Now at that time, after the meal, on their return from almsround, that mendicant plunged into a lotus pond and sniffed a pink lotus.

The deity haunting that forest had sympathy for that mendicant, and wanted what’s best for them. So they approached that mendicant wanting to stir them up, and addressed them in verse:The deity haunting that forest had sympathy for that mendicant, and wanted what’s best for them. So they approached that mendicant wanting to stir them up, and addressed them in verse:“This water flower has not been given.“This water flower has not been given.When you sniff it,When you sniff it,

this is one factor of theft.this is one factor of theft.Good fellow, you are a thief of scent!”Good fellow, you are a thief of scent!”“I do not take, nor do I break;“I do not take, nor do I break;

I sniff the water flower from afar.I sniff the water flower from afar.So how do you explain whySo how do you explain whyyou call me a thief of scent?you call me a thief of scent?

Why don’t you accuse someoneWhy don’t you accuse someonewho does such vandalizingwho does such vandalizingas digging up the roots,as digging up the roots,

or breaking off the flowers?”or breaking off the flowers?”“I have nothing to say“I have nothing to sayto a person who is a crude vandal,to a person who is a crude vandal,

soiled like a used nappy.soiled like a used nappy.You’re the one who deserves to be spoken to.You’re the one who deserves to be spoken to.To the man who has not a blemish,To the man who has not a blemish,

who is always seeking purity,who is always seeking purity,even a hair-tip of evileven a hair-tip of evilseems as big as a stormcloud.”seems as big as a stormcloud.”

“Indeed, O spirit, you understand me,“Indeed, O spirit, you understand me,and you empathize with me.and you empathize with me.Please speak to me again,Please speak to me again,

whenever you see something like this.”whenever you see something like this.”“We are no dependent of yours,“We are no dependent of yours,nor are we your servant.nor are we your servant.

You yourself should know, mendicant,You yourself should know, mendicant,the way that leads to a good place.”the way that leads to a good place.”Impelled by that deity, that mendicant was struck with a sense of urgency.Impelled by that deity, that mendicant was struck with a sense of urgency.

The Linked Discourses in the Forest are complete.The Linked Discourses in the Forest are complete.