Hi Stephen,

> I'm looking for a parallel in Pali for something mentioned
> in another text I'm working on. Does anybody know if there
> is a passage somewhere in the Tipitaka that speaks of those
> who would rather enter into a blazing fire or of lick / cut
> off their tongue with a sharp knife / razor etc (or lick a
> burning log) rather than doing certain evil things ? I have
> a vague recollection of reading something like this once but
> really cannot remember if it was from the Tipitaka. Any
> suggestions pls !

You will find the Bodhisatta represented this way
in more than one Jaataka, though I can't immediately recall
an example. There are also several passages where the
Buddha's admonition to his monks takes the form, "It would
be better for you to do X [something that will cause you
extraordinary pain], rather than Y [something immoral]. If
this is in line with what you are looking for, see the the
seven blood-curdling similes of the Aggikkhandhopama Sutta
(A. iv. 127-35, also quoted in the Path of Purification I 153-7),
and the Vinaya Pi.taka's nidaana to the first and
fourth paaraajika offences (Vin. iii. 20-1; & 89).

Best wishes,

Dhammanando