Buddhist Dhammapadha Monks who decorated their slippers

Chapter XXI - PAKINNAKA VAGGA - Miscellaneous

THE DEFILEMENTS OF THE CONCEITED INCREASE

THE DEFILEMENTS OF THE CONCEITED INCREASE

Yam hi kiccam tadapaviddham akiccam pana kayirati
Unnalanam pamattanam tesam vaddhanti asava. [292]

THE DEFILEMENTS OF THE MINDFUL DECREASE

Yesan ca susamaraddha niccam kayagata sati
Akiccam te na sevanti kicce sataccakarino
Satanam sampajananam attham gacchanti asava. [293]

What should have been done is left undone,¹ what should not have been done is done. ² For those who are conceited and heedless the corruptions increase. [292]

Those who always earnestly practice 'mindfulness of the body', ³ who follow not what should not be done, and constantly do what should be done, for those mindful and reflective ones the corruptions come to an end. [293]

XXI:03 Monks who decorated their slippers

Once some bhikkhus who were staying in Bhaddiya, were only interested in making and wearing ornamental slippers. Thus they neglected their spiritual development. When the matter was reported to the Buddha, he admonished the wayward bhikkhus, 'My sons, you have entered the Holy Order for the sake of attaining perfection. Yet, you are now striving hard only in making slippers and decorating them.' After the admonition by the Buddha, the bhikkhus changed their behaviour and strove diligently for their emancipation.

Notes:

Observance of morality, practice of meditation, etc.

Such as decoration of umbrellas, sandals, bowls, belts, etc.

Contemplation on the loathsomeness of the body.