At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans near the little village of Sāma, by a lotus pond. Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati sāmagāmake pokkharaṇiyāyaṁ.

Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire lotus pond, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him, Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ pokkharaṇiyaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho sā devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “Sir, three qualities lead to the decline of a mendicant. “Tayome, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno parihānāya saṁvattanti. What three? Katame tayo? Relishing work, talk, and sleep. Kammārāmatā, bhassārāmatā, niddārāmatā—These three qualities lead to the decline of a mendicant.” ime kho, bhante, tayo dhammā bhikkhuno parihānāya saṁvattantī”ti.

That’s what that deity said, Idamavoca sā devatā. and the teacher approved. Samanuñño satthā ahosi. Then that deity, knowing that the teacher approved, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there. Atha kho sā devatā “samanuñño me satthā”ti bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyi.

Then, when the night had passed, the Buddha told the mendicants all that had happened, adding: Atha kho bhagavā tassā rattiyā accayena bhikkhū āmantesi: “imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ pokkharaṇiyaṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, sā devatā maṁ etadavoca: ‘tayome, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno parihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame tayo? Kammārāmatā, bhassārāmatā, niddārāmatā—ime kho, bhante, tayo dhammā bhikkhuno parihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.

Idamavoca, bhikkhave, sā devatā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyi. “It’s unfortunate for those of you who even the deities know are declining in skillful qualities. Tesaṁ vo, bhikkhave, alābhā tesaṁ dulladdhaṁ, ye vo devatāpi jānanti kusalehi dhammehi parihāyamāne. I will teach you three more qualities that lead to decline. Aparepi, bhikkhave, tayo parihāniye dhamme desessāmi. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha, bhāsissāmī”ti.

“Yes, sir,” they replied. “Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. The Buddha said this: Bhagavā etadavoca:

“And what, mendicants, are three qualities that lead to decline? “katame ca, bhikkhave, tayo parihāniyā dhammā? Enjoyment of company, being hard to admonish, and having bad friends. Saṅgaṇikārāmatā, dovacassatā, pāpamittatā—These three qualities lead to decline. ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo parihāniyā dhammā.

Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who decline in skillful qualities do so because of these six qualities.” Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ parihāyiṁsu kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi parihāyiṁsu kusalehi dhammehi. Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ parihāyissanti kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi parihāyissanti kusalehi dhammehi. Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, etarahi parihāyanti kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi parihāyanti kusalehi dhammehī”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.