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422
Dasha-Shruta-Skandha-Sutra
Tenth Dasha
A person should become dispassionate towards sensual pleasures in the human realm; for sensual pleasures in the human realm are impermanent and fleeting. Similarly, even the gods in the heavenly realms do not enjoy the wives of other gods. They enjoy their own selves, transforming themselves into both male and female forms. If this is the fruit of austerities and vows, then why should anyone have faith, belief, or interest in this path?
Word-by-word meaning:
O Ayushman! O Shraman! Thus, I have expounded the Dharma. The rest of the explanation is similar to the previous Sutras. He should strive in the path of restraint and while striving, he should become dispassionate towards sensual pleasures in the human realm, because sensual pleasures in the human realm are impermanent and fleeting. Similarly, even the gods in the heavenly realms do not enjoy the wives of other gods. They enjoy their own selves, transforming themselves into both male and female forms. If this is the fruit of austerities and vows, then why should anyone have faith, belief, or interest in this path?
Original meaning:
O Ayushman! O Shraman! Thus, I have expounded the Dharma. The rest of the explanation is similar to the previous Sutras. He should strive in the path of restraint and while striving, he should become dispassionate towards sensual pleasures in the human realm, because sensual pleasures in the human realm are impermanent and fleeting. Similarly, even the gods in the heavenly realms do not enjoy the wives of other gods. They enjoy their own selves, transforming themselves into both male and female forms. If this is the fruit of austerities and vows, then why should anyone have faith, belief, or interest in this path?