Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön | 2001 | 941,039 words
This page describes “rejection of pleasant smells” as written by Nagarjuna in his Maha-prajnaparamita-sastra (lit. “the treatise on the great virtue of wisdom”) in the 2nd century. This book, written in five volumes, represents an encyclopedia on Buddhism as well as a commentary on the Pancavimsatisahasrika Prajnaparamita.
Section A.3 - Rejection of pleasant smells
Why condemn smells (gandha)? Some claim that being attached to smells is a slight fault; but attachment to smells opens the door to the fetters (saṃyojana). Even if one has maintained discipline (śīla) for a hundred years, one moment is enough to violate it.
[The śrāmaṇera who became a nāga].
It is for all these reasons that the desire for perfumes (gandhakāmaguṇa) is condemned.