Thus have I heard:

At one time the Lord was staying near Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time a pernicious view had arisen like this in a monk named Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer: “In so far as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all.”

Several monks heard: “A pernicious view has arisen to the monk named Ariṭṭha, who was formerly a vulture-trainer, like this: ‘In so far as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all.’” Then these monks approached the monk Ariṭṭha, who had formerly been a vulture-trainer; having approached, they spoke thus to the monk Ariṭṭha, who had formerly been a vulture-trainer:

“Is it true, as is said, reverend Ariṭṭha, that a pernicious view has arisen in you, like this: ‘In so far as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all’?”

“Undoubtedly, your reverences, as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all.”

Then these monks, anxious to dissuade the monk Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer from that pernicious view, questioned him, cross-questioned him, and pressed for the reasons, and said:

“Do not speak thus, reverend Ariṭṭha, do not misrepresent the Lord; misrepresentation of the Lord is not at all seemly, and the Lord certainly would not speak thus. For, in many a figure, reverend Ariṭṭha, are things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, and in following these there is a veritable stumbling-block.

Sense-pleasures are said by the Lord to be of little satisfaction, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to a skeleton, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to a lump of meat, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to a torch of dry grass, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to a pit of glowing embers, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to a dream, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to something borrowed, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to the fruits of a tree, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to a slaughterhouse, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to an impaling stake, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.

Sense-pleasures are likened by the Lord to a snake's head, of much pain, of much tribulation, wherein is more peril.”

Yet the monk Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer even while being questioned, cross-questioned and pressed for his reasons by these monks, expressed that pernicious view as before, obstinately holding and adhering to it:

“Undoubtedly, your reverences, as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all.”

Since these monks were unable to dissuade the monk Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer from that pernicious view, then these monks approached the Lord; having approached, having greeted the Lord, they sat down at a respectful distance. While they were sitting down at a respectful distance, these monks spoke thus to the Lord:

“Lord, a pernicious view like this arose in the monk called Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer: ‘In so far as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all.’ And we heard, Lord, that a pernicious view like this had arisen in the monk called Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer: ‘In so far as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all.’

Then we, Lord, approached the monk Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer; having approached, we spoke thus to the monk Ariṭṭha who had formerly been a vulture-trainer:

“Is it true, as is said, reverend Ariṭṭha, that a pernicious view has arisen in you like this:

‘In so far as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all’?”

When this had been said, Lord, the monk Ariṭṭha, who had formerly been a vulture-trainer, spoke thus to us:

“Undoubtedly, your reverences, as I understand Dhamma taught by the Lord, it is that in following those things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, there is no stumbling-block at all.”

Then we, Lord, anxious to dissuade the monk Ariṭṭha, who had formerly been a vulture-trainer, from that pernicious view, questioned him, cross-questioned him, pressed him for reasons, and said:

“Do not speak thus, reverend Ariṭṭha, do not misrepresent the Lord; misrepresentation of the Lord is not at all seemly, and the Lord certainly would not speak thus. For in many a figure, reverend Ariṭṭha, are things called stumbling-blocks by the Lord, and in following these there is a veritable stumbling-block.