The Buddha shares the three unwholesome thoughts - 1) concerning one's reputation, 2) concerning acquisitions, respect, and popularity, and 3) associated with inappropriate concern for others.

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, thus I have heard:

"Bhikkhus, there are these three unwholesome thoughts (unskillful thoughts, unbeneficial thinking, karmically unprofitable thoughts [akusalavitakka]). Which three?

1. A thought concerning one's reputation (about one's social standing [anavaññattipaṭisaṃyutta]),

2. a thought concerning with acquisitions, respect, and popularity (about material gains or possessions, honor or reverence, and fame or praise [lābhasakkārasilokapaṭisaṃyutta]), and

3. a thought associated with [inappropriate] concern for others (with excessive compassion for others [parānuddayatāpaṭisaṃyutta]).

These, indeed, are three unwholesome thoughts."

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. Therefore, it is said thus:

Concerned with one's reputation,

valuing acquisitions and respect;

Rejoicing together with associates (colleagues, friends, co-workers [amacca]),

Such a one is far away from the exhaustion of the fetters (wearing away of the bonds that bind one to the cycle of existence [saṃyojanakkhaya]).

Having left behind children and cattle (sons and livestock [puttapasu]),

marriage and acquisitions;

Such a bhikkhu is capable of,

attaining the highest awakening (supreme enlightenment [sambodhimuttama]).

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, thus I have heard.

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Picture: Boy Behind The Mask, Sarah Weaver, 2008

Related Teachings:

Sensuality is subject to time, of much stress (SN 1.20) - A deity tries to persuade a monk to first enjoy sensual pleasures and then go forth.

Anger, contempt, gain and honor (AN 4.43) - The Buddha shares the four kinds of persons found in the world - those who value anger, contempt, gain, and honor, and those who value the good Dhamma instead.

The Spiritual Life (AN 4.25) - The spiritual life is not led to deceive people, not for gaining their applause, not for acquiring gains and honors, nor for winning an argument, nor out of a desire for people to know 'thus about me'.