Text
314. “Bhikkhus, when a person impelled by his wrong view commits an action, whether a mental action, a verbal action, or a bodily action, his entire conduct will be smeared by that same view. Thus, the intentions behind his behavior, his goals, projections, leanings, and the underlying habitual patterns or drives (saṅkhārā) compelling him to do this or that activity, will all bring him none other than harmful, abhorring, painful, and displeasing results, causing him much suffering. “And what is the reason for this? “It is because the view itself is bad. “Imagine, Bhikkhus, a Neem seed, or the seed of a bitter gourd or that of a bitter cucumber that were to be placed into a field of moist soil. Now, all the nutrients and sustenance that the seed would absorb and draw to itself from the earth, water, air, and sunlight, would essentially and only produce whatever it had within it to begin with, namely, its bitter flavor and unpleasant taste. “And what is the reason for this? “It is because the seed is bad and unenjoyable to the taste. “In the same manner, Bhikkhus, when a person impelled by his wrong view commits an action, whether a mental action, a verbal action, or a bodily action, his entire conduct will be smeared by that same view. Thus, the intentions behind his behavior, his goals, projections, leanings, and the underlying habitual patterns or drives (saṅkhārā) compelling him to do this or that activity, will all bring him none other than harmful, abhorring, painful, and displeasing results, causing him much suffering. “And what is the reason for this? “It is because the view itself is bad.”