“These days, brahmin, humans just love illicit desire. They’re overcome by immoral greed, and mired in wrong religious teachings. Taking up sharp knives, they murder each other. And so many people perish. This is the cause, this is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled.

Furthermore, because these days humans just love illicit desire … the heavens don’t provide enough rain, so there’s famine, a bad harvest, with crops blighted and turned to straw. And so many people perish. This is the cause, this is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled.

Furthermore, because these days humans just love illicit desire … native spirits let vicious monsters loose. And so many humans perish. This is the cause, this is the reason why these days human numbers have dwindled.”

“Excellent, worthy Gotama! Excellent! … From this day forth, may the worthy Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”

Numbered Discourses 3.57 6. Brahmins With Vacchagotta