72. At one time The Blessed One was abiding in the gabled hall in the Great Forest in Vesali with many well-known elder, disciple bhikkhus such as venerables Cala, Upacala, Kukkuta, Kalimbha, Nikata, Katissa and other well-known elder bhikkhus.

At that time many well-known Licchavis in completely full chariots were coming to the Great Forest to see The Blessed One, making much noise. Then it occured to those venerable ones: "These well-known Licchavis in completely full chariots, are coming to the Great Forest to see The Blessed One, making much noise. The Blessed One has said that sound is a thorn to the higher states of the mind. What if we go to the Gosinga forest reserve. It has less noise, not so crowded, we will have a pleasant abiding." Then those venerable ones went to the Gosinga forest reserve which had less noise, was less crowded and had a pleasant abiding.

The Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, where are the elder bhikkhus, Cala, Upacala, Kukkuta, Kalimbha, Nikata, Katissa. Where are these elder bhikkhus gone?"

"Here, venerable sir, it occured to those venerable ones: These well-known Licchavis in completely full chariots, are coming to the Great Forest to see The Blessed One, making much noise. The Blessed One has said that sound is a thorn to the higher states of the mind. What if we go to the Gosinga forest reserve. It has less noise, not so crowded, we will have a pleasant abiding Then those venerable ones went to the Gosinga forest reserve which has less noise, is less crowded and has a pleasant abiding."

"Bhikkhus, the great elders have said it correctly! Rightly saying sound is a thorn for the higher states of the mind.

"Bhikkhus, these ten are thorns. What ten?

"To one who wants seclusion, company is a thorn. To one developing the sign of loathsomeness, an agreeable sign is a thorn. To one protected in the mental faculties, sight seeing is a thorn. To a man leading a celebate life, the behavior of a woman is a thorn. To one in the first jhana, sounds are a thorn. To one in the second jhana, thinking and examining are a thorn. To one in the third jhana, piti is a thorn. To one in the fourth jhana, in breathing and out breathing is a thorn. To one attaining the cessation of perceptions and feelings, perceptions and feelings are a thorn. Greed is a thorn. Hate is a thorn and delusion is a thorn.

"Bhikkhus, live without thorns, free from thorns. Bhikkhus, the worthy ones are without thorns, free from thorns."

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Leigh Brasington / / Revised 24 Mar 23