18(8)The Fish Dealer
On one occasion the Blessed One was wandering on tour among the Kosalans together with a large Sangha of bhikkhus.
Then,while traveling along the highway,in a certain spot the Blessed One saw a fish dealer killing fish and selling them.
He left the highway,sat down on a seat that was prepared for him at the foot of a tree,
and addressed the bhikkhus:
"Bhikkhus,do you see that fish dealer killing fish and selling them?"
"Yes,Bhante".
(1)'What do you think,bhikkhus?Have you ever seen or heard
that a fish dealer,killing fish [302]and selling them,might,by means of this work and livelihood,travel around by elephant or horse,by chariot or vehicle,or enjoy wealth or live off a large accumulation of wealth?"
"No,Bhante."
"Good,bhikkhus.
I too have never seen or heard of
such a thing.
For what reason?
Because he looks on cruelly at the captive fish as they are brought for slaughter.Therefore he does not travel around by elephant or horse,by chariot or vehicle,orenjoy wealth or live off a large accumulation of wealth.
(2)"What do you think,bhikkhus?Have you ever seen or heard
that a cattle butcher,killing cowsand selling them...[303]
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(3)...a butcher of sheep...(4)...a butcher of pigs...(5)...a butcher of poultry...(6)...a butcher of deer,killing deer and selling them,might,by means of that work and livelihood,travel around by elephant or horse,by chariot or vehicle,orenjoy wealth or live off a large accumulation of wealth?"
"No,Bhante."
"Good,bhikkhus.
I too have never seen or heard of
such a thing.
For what reason?
Because he looks on cruelly at the captive deer as they are brought for slaughter,Therefore he does not travel around by elephant or horse,by chariot or vehicle,or enjoy wealth or live off a large accumulation of wealth.
"Bhikkhus,one who looks on cruelly at captive animals as they are brought for slaughter will not travel around by elephant or horse,by chariot or vehicle,or enjoy wealth or live off a large accumulation of wealth.
What then can be said about one who looks on cruelly at a condemned human being brought up for slaughter?
This will lead to his harm and suffering for a long time:
With the breakup of the body after death,he will be reborn in the plane of misery,in a bad destination,in the lower world,in hell."