11. "What do you think, monks; which is the better? If a strong man,
having opened the mouth with a red-hot iron spike, were to hurl into
the mouth a red-hot iron ball, burning, blazing, glowing; such that
his (?Q1?) lip also would burn, the mouth also would burn, the tongue
also would burn, the throat also would burn, the chest also would
burn, [and] having been received by the lower intestine also, it
would be expelled from the lower part of the body. Or, to enjoy (Q2)
the food received on alms-round given in faith by wealthy kshatriya,
brahmins, or householders?"
"This surely, venerable Sir, is the better: To enjoy (?Q2? the food
received on alms-round given in faith by wealthy kshatriya, brahmins,
or householders. For it would be painful, venerable Sir, were a
strong man, having opened the mouth with a red-hot iron spike, to
hurl into the mouth a red-hot iron ball, burning, blazing, glowing;
such that his (?Q1?) lip also would burn, the mouth also would burn,
the tongue also would burn, the throat also would burn, the chest
also would burn, [and] having been received by the lower intestine
also, it would be expelled from the lower part of the body."
Q1: I'm not sure about the "ta.m tassa" ... does tassa refer to the
strong man, i.e., "his"?
Q2: Presumably it's the "enjoying" of the alms-food that's not so
good ... monks are supposed to just eat it without enjoyment?