________________
भगवती सूत्र शः ६ उ: ३
A. 15. Yes, Gautama, all as aforesaid, the outcome of great karma.
244
Q. 16. Why is it so ?
A. 16. Gautama! Just as a piece of cloth which is fresh, unused, clean, fresh from the loom, is, when used regularly, besmeared with (external) matter all over, acquires (external) matter all over, becomes, after a gap of time, completely dirty, and emits bad odour, in the same manner, a being with great karma, all as aforesaid, ...till transforms again and again. It is for this so.
Q. 17. Bhante! Does matter acquired by a being with little influx, little karma, little activity, little pain, get separated in all respects? Does it get pierced from all directions? Does it attain destruction from all directions? Does it attain complete destruction from all directions? Does matter separate always and at all times? Does matter get pierced always and at all times? Is it destroyed, completely destroyed? Does his soul transform always and at all times into good shape, (all wholesome things are to be stated)... till happiness and not misery ?
A. 17. Yes, Gautama, ... till transforms always and at all times.
Q. 18. Why is it so ?
A. 18. Gautama! Suppose there is a piece of cloth dirty, covered with mud, dirt and dust. When this piece of cloth is cleaned in proper manner and washed in pure water, all (external) matter-particles fixed on it are separated, till find their end. It is for this so.
[ acquisition of matter-by cloth and by soul] प्रश्न १९ - वत्थस्स णं भंते ! पोग्गलोवचये पओगसा वीससा ?
...