1

Theragatha: VersesoftheElderMonks
I.1Subhuti Myhutisroofed,comfortable, freeofdrafts; mymind,wellcentered, setfree. Iremainardent. So,raindeva. Goahead&rain. Seealso:ANIII.110;SnI.1

AnAnthology

I.2Mahakotthika Calmed,restrained, givingcounselunruffled, heliftsoffevilstatesofmind asthebreeze, aleaffromatree.

I.3Kankharevata Seethis: thediscernment

2 oftheTathagatas, likeafireablazeinthenight, givinglight,givingeyes, tothosewhocome, subduingtheirdoubt.

I.7Bhalliya Whoscattersthetroops oftheKingofDeath asagreatflood, averyweakbridgemadeofreeds isvictorious, forhisfearsaredispersed. Hestamed, unbound, steadfastinhimself.

I.14Vanavacchaspupil Mypreceptorsaidtome: Letsgofromhere,Sivaka. Mybodystaysinthevillage, mymindhasgonetothewilds. EventhoughImlyingdown, Igo. Theresnotyingdown onewhoknows.

I.16Belattasisa Justasafinethoroughbredsteed, withswishingtail&mane runswithnexttonoeffort,

3 somydays&nights runwithnexttonoeffort nowthatIvegainedahappiness notoftheflesh.

I.22Cittaka Peacocks, crested,blue,withgorgeousnecks, cryout intheKaramviwoods, thrilledbythecoldwind. Theyawakenthesleeper tomeditate.

I.26Abhaya Hearingthewellspokenwords oftheAwakenedOne, KinsmanoftheSun, Ipiercedwhatissubtle asif,withanarrow, thetipofahorsetailhair.

I.29Harita Harita, raiseyourselfup right and,straighteningyourmind likeafletcher,anarrow shatterignorance tobits.

I.32Suppiya Illmakeatrade: agingfortheAgeless, burningfortheUnbound: thehighestpeace, theunexcelledrest fromtheyoke.

I.39Tissa Asifstruckbyasword, asifhisheadwereonfire, amonkshouldlivethewanderinglife mindful fortheabandoningofsensualpassion.

I.41Sirivaddha Lightninglandsonthecleft betweenVebhara&Pandava, but, havinggonetothecleftinthemountains, hesabsorbedinjhanatheson oftheonewithoutcompare, theonewhoisSuch.

I.43Sumangala Sofreed!Sofreed! SothoroughlyfreedamI fromthreecrookedthings: mysickles,myshovels,myplows.

5 Eveniftheywerehere, righthere, Idbedonewiththem, done. Meditate,Sumangala. Meditate,Sumangala. Sumangala,stayheedful. Seealso:ThigI.11

I.49Ramaneyyaka Evenwithallthewhistles&whistling, thecallsofthebirds, this,mymind,doesntwaver, formydelightisin oneness.

I.50Vimala Theearthssprinkled withrain,wind isblowing,lightning wandersthesky, butmythoughtsarestilled, wellcentered mymind.

I.56Kutiviharin(1) Whosinthehut? Amonksinthehut freefrompassion, withwellcenteredmind.

6 Knowthis,myfriend: Thehutyoubuilt wasntwasted.

I.57Kutiviharin(2) Thiswasyouroldhut, andyouaspiretoanother, newhut. Discardyourhopeforahut,monk. Anewhutwillbe painfulalloveragain.

1

NOTE:1.CompareDhp153154: ThroughtheroundofmanybirthsIroamed withoutreward, withoutrest, seekingthehousebuilder. Painfulisbirthagain &again. Housebuilder,youreseen! Youwillnotbuildahouseagain. Allyourraftersbroken, theridgepoledestroyed, gonetotheUnformed,themind hascometotheendofcraving.

I.61Vappa Onewhosees seeswhosees, seeswhodoesnt. Onewhodoesntsee

7 doesnt seewhosees orwhodoesnt.

I.68Ekuddaniya Exaltedinmind&heedful: asagetrainedinsagacitysways. Hehasnosorrows,onewhoisSuch, calmed&evermindful.

I.73Manava Onseeinganoldperson; & apersoninpain,diseased; & apersondead,gonetolifesend, Ileft forthelifegoneforth, abandoningthesensuality thatenticestheheart.

I.84Nita Asleepthewholenight, delightingincompanybyday: when,when willthefool bringsuffering&stress toanend? I.93Eraka

8 Sensualpleasuresarestressful, Eraka. Sensualpleasuresarentease. Whoeverlovessensualpleasures lovesstress, Eraka. Whoeverdoesnt, doesntlovestress.

I.95Cakkhupala Imblind, myeyesaredestroyed. Ivestumbled onawildernesstrack. Even ifImustcrawl, Illgoon, butnotwithanevilcompanion.

I.104Khitaka Howlightmybody! Touchedbyabundant rapture&bliss, likeacottontuft borneonthebreeze itseemstobefloating mybody!

I.111Jenta Goingforthishard; housesarehardplacestolive; theDhammaisdeep;

9 wealth,hardtoobtain; itshardtokeepgoing withwhateverweget: soitsrightthatweponder continually continual inconstancy. Seealso:Dhp302

I.113Vanavaccha Withclearwaters& massiveboulders, frequentedbymonkeys& deer, coveredwithmoss& waterweeds: thoserockycragsrefreshme.

I.118Kimbila Asifsentbyacurse, itdropsonus aging. Thebodyseems other, thoughitsstillthesameone. Imstillhere &haveneverbeenabsentfromit, butIremembermyself asifsomebodyelses. Seealso:ThigXIII.1

10 I.120Isidatta Thefiveaggregates, havingbeencomprehended, standwiththeirroot cutthrough. Forme theendingofstress isreached; theendingoffermentations, attained.

II.13Heraakani Days&nights flypast. Life comestoanend. Thespanofmortals runsout, likethewaterofapiddlingstream. Butthefooldoingevildeeds doesntrealizethatlater itsbitterforhim: evilforhim theresult.

II.16Mahakala Thisswarthywoman [preparingacorpseforcremation] crowlike,enormous breakingathigh&thentheother thigh,

11 breakinganarm&thentheother arm, crackingopenthehead, likeapotofcurds, shesitswiththemheapedupbesideher. Whoever,unknowing, makesacquisitions thefool returnsover&over tosuffering&stress. So,discerning, dontmakeacquisitions. MayIneverlie withmyheadcrackedopen again.

II.24Valliya Whatneedstobedone withfirmpersistence, whatneedstobedone bysomeonewhohopesforAwakening, thatIwilldo. Iwillnotfail. See:persistence&striving! Youshowmethepath: thestraight, theplungeintoDeathlessness. I,throughsagacity, willreachit,knowit, asthestreamoftheGanges, thesea.

II.26Punnamasa

12

Sheddingfivehindrances soastoreachtheunexcelledrest fromtheyoke, takingtheDhammaasmirror forknowing&seeingmyself, Ireflectedonthisbody thewholething, inside&out, myown&others. Howvain&emptyitlooked! NOTE:1.Thefivehindrancesaresensualdesire,illwill,sloth&torpor, restlessness&anxiety,anduncertainty.SeeSNXLVI.51.

II.27Nandaka Justasafinethoroughbredsteed stumbling,regainsitsstance, feelingallthemoreurgency, &drawsitsburden undaunted. Inthesameway,rememberme: consummateinvision, adiscipleoftheRightly SelfawakenedOne, theAwakenedOnesthoroughbredchild, hisson.

II.30Kanhadinna Menofintegrity havebeenattendedto, theDhammarepeatedly

13 listenedto. Havinglistened, Ifollowedthestraightway, theplungeintoDeathlessness. Passionforbecoming, havingbeenkilledbyme, nofurthersuchpassion isfoundinme. Itneitherwas norwillbe norisfoundinme evennow.

II.37SonaPotiriyaputta Itsnotforsleeping, thenightgarlanded withzodiacstars. Thenight,foronewhoknows, isforstayingawake. IfIweretofallfrommyelephantsshoulder, andatuskertrampledme, deathinbattlewouldbebetterforme, thanthatI,defeated, survive. Seealso:SnIII.2

III.5Matangaputta Itstoocold, toohot, toolateintheevening peoplewhosaythis,

14 shirkingtheirwork: themomentpassesthemby. Whoeverregardscold&heat asnomorethangrass, doinghismanlyduties, wontfallaway fromease. Withmychest Ipushthroughwildgrasses speargrass, ribbongrass, rushes cultivatingaheart bentonseclusion. Seealso:ANVIII.80

III.8Yasoja Hislimbsknotted likeakalaplant, hisbodylean &linedwithveins, knowingmoderation infood&drink: themanofundauntedheart. Touchedbygnats &horseflies inthewilds, thegreatwood, likeanelephant attheheadofabattle: he,mindful, shouldstaythere, endure.

15 OnealoneislikeBrahma, two,likedevas, three,likeavillage, morethanthat: ahullabaloo.

III.12Abhibhuta Listen,kinsmen,allofyou, asmanyasareassembledhere. IwillteachyoutheDhamma: Painfulisbirth, again&again. Rouseyourselves. Goforth. Applyyourselves totheAwakenedOnesbidding. ScatterthearmyofDeath asanelephantwould ashedmadeofreeds. Hewho, inthisdoctrine&discipline, staysheedful, abandoningbirth, thewanderingon, willputanend tosuffering&stress.

III.14Gotama Whilewanderingon Iwenttohell; wentagain&again totheworldofthehungryshades;

16 stayedcountlesstimes,long, inthepainoftheanimalwomb; enjoyed thehumanstate; wenttoheaven fromtimetotime; settledintheelementsofform, theelementsofformlessness, neitherperception,perceptionless. Waysoftakingbirth arenowknown: devoidofessence, unstable, conditioned, alwaysblownalong. Knowingthem asbornfrommyself, mindful Iwentrighttopeace.

III.15Harita(2) Whoeverwantstodolater whatheshouldhavedonefirst, fallsawayfromtheeasefulstate &laterrepents. Oneshouldspeak asonewouldact, &not asonewouldnt. Whenonespeakswithoutacting, thewise,theycantell. Howveryeaseful: Unbinding, astaughtbytheRightly

17 SelfawakenedOne sorrowless, dustless, secure, wherestress &suffering cease.

IV.8Rahula Inbothways consummate,1 ImknownasRahula theFortunate: because ImthesonoftheBuddha, because IvetheeyethatseesDhammas, because myfermentationsareended, because Ivenofurtherbecoming. Imdeservingofofferings, aworthyone athreeknowledgeman,2 onewithsight oftheDeathless. Those blinded bysensuality covered bythenet, veiled bytheveilofcraving, bound bytheKinsmanoftheheedless,3 arelikefishinthemouthofatrap. Throwingthatsensualityaside, cuttingthroughMarasbond, pullingoutcraving,root&all, cooledamI, unbound.

18

NOTES 1.Thisphrasecanbetakenintwoways:(a)consummateinthathehasapure lineageonbothhismothersandhisfathersside;and(b)consummateinthat hebelongsbothtoawellbornlineageintheworldlysenseand,bymeansofhis meditativeattainments,tothelineageofthenobleones.SeeANIV.128. 2.Onewithknowledgeofpastlives,knowledgeofthepassingawayand rearisingoflivingbeings,andknowledgeoftheendingofmentalfermentations. 3.Mara.

V.1Rajadatta I,amonk, gonetothecharnelground, sawawomancastaway, discarded thereinthecemetery. Thoughsomeweredisgusted, seeingherdead,evil lust appeared, asifIwereblind totheoozings. Inlesstimethanittakes forricetocook, Igotoutofthatplace. Mindful,alert,I satdowntooneside. Thenaptattentionaroseinme, thedrawbacksappeared, disenchantmentstood atanevenkeel: Withthat,myheartwasreleased. SeetheDhammastruerightness!

19 Thethreeknowledges havebeenattained; theAwakenedOnesbidding, done.

V.8Vakkali Strickenbysharp,windlikepains, you,monk,livingintheforestgrove harsh,withlimitedrangeforalms what,whatwillyoudo? Suffusingmybody withabundantrapture&joy, &enduringwhatsharsh, Illstayinthegrove. Developingtheframesofreference, strengths, faculties,
2 3 1

thefactorsforawakening, Illstayinthegrove. Reflectingonthosewhoareresolute, theirpersistencearoused, constantlyfirmintheireffort, unitedinconcord, Illstayinthegrove. RecollectingtheOneSelfawakened, selftamed&centered, untiringbothday&night, Illstay inthegrove. NOTES 1.SeeDN22. 2.SeeANV.2.

20 3.SeeSNXLVIII.10. 4.SeeSNXLVI.14.

V.10Yasadatta Intentonquibbling, thedullardhearstheConquerorsteaching. HesasfarfromtheTrueDhamma asthegroundisfromthesky. Intentonquibbling, thedullardhearstheConquerorsteaching. HewanesfromtheTrueDhamma likethemooninthedarkhalfofthemonth. Intentonquibbling, thedullardhearstheConquerorsteaching. HedriesupintheTrueDhamma likeafishinnexttonowater. Intentonquibbling, thedullardhearstheConquerorsteaching. HedoesntgrowintheTrueDhamma, likearottenseedinafield. ButwhoeverhearstheConquerorsteaching withguardedintent, doingawaywithfermentations all realizingtheunshakable, attainingtheforemostpeace, isfreefromfermentation totallyunbound. Seealso:ANVI.8688

21

VI.2Tekicchakani Thegrain:harvested. Therice:gonetobethreshed. ButIdontgetanyalms. HowwillIgetby? Confident,recollect theimmeasurableBuddha. Yourbodypervadedwithrapture, youllbeattheheight ofcontinualjoy. Confident,recollect theimmeasurableDhamma. Yourbodypervadedwithrapture, youllbeattheheight ofcontinualjoy. Confident,recollect theimmeasurableSangha. Yourbodypervadedwithrapture, youllbeattheheight ofcontinualjoy. Youliveintheopenair. Coldarethesewintrynights. Dontsuffer,overcomewiththecold. Gointoyourhut,withitsfastenedbolt. Illfastenthefour immeasurables. Withthem,Illdwell incomfort. Iwontsufferfromthecold, dwelling unperturbed. NOTE:1.Concentrationbasedonimmeasurablegoodwill,compassion, appreciation,andequanimity.SeeANIII.66.
1

22

Seealso:ANV.27

VI.6Sappadasa Twentyfiveyearssincemygoingforth, andnopeaceofawareness notafingersnapsworth attained. Havinggainednoonenessofmind, Iwaswrackedwithlust. Wailing,withmyarmsupheld, Iranamokfrommydwelling Or...orshallItaketheknife? Whatstheuseoflifetome? IfIweretorenouncethetraining, whatsortofdeathwouldIhave? So,takingarazor, Isatdownonabed. Andtherewastherazor, placedreadytocutmyownvein, whenaptattentionaroseinme, thedrawbacksappeared, disenchantmentstood atanevenkeel: Withthat,myheartwasreleased. SeetheDhammastruerightness! Thethreeknowledges havebeenattained; theAwakenedOnesbidding, done.

VI.9Jenta,theRoyalChaplainsSon

23 Iwas drunkwiththeintoxication ofmybirth,wealth,&sovereignty. Drunkwiththeintoxication ofmybodysbuild,coloring,&form, Iwanderedabout, regardingnoone asmyequalorbetter, foolish,arrogant,haughty, mybannerheldhigh. Idisrespectful,arrogant,proud boweddowntonoone, noteven mother, father, orthosecommonlyheld inrespect. Thenseeingtheultimateleader, supreme,foremostofcharioteers, likeablazingsun, arrayedwithasquadronofmonks castingawaypride&intoxication throughanawarenessserene&clear, Iboweddown my head tohim,supreme amongalllivingbeings. Haughtiness&contempt havebeenabandoned rootedout theconceitIamisextracted, allformsofpride,destroyed.

VI.10SumanatheNovice

24 WhenIwasseven &newlygoneforth, havingconqueredwithmypower thegreatpowerfulserpent, Iwasfetchingwaterformypreceptor fromthegreatlake,Anotatta,1 whentheTeachersawme&said: Look,Sariputta,atthatone, theyoungboycomingthere, carryingapotofwater, wellcenteredwithin, hispracticesinspiring; hisbearingadmirable. HesAnuruddhasnovice, matureinhispowers, madethoroughbredbyathoroughbred, goodbyonewhoisgood, tamedbyAnuruddha, trainedbyonewhosetask isdone. He, havingreachedthehighestpeace &realizedtheunshakable, Sumanathenovice wantsthis: Dontletanyoneknowme. NOTE:1.Anotatta:AfabulouslakelocatedintheHimalayas,famedforthe purityofitscoolwaters.Sumanawouldhavehadtousehispsychicpowersto fetchwaterfromthere. Seealso:ANVIII.30;UdIII.1

25 VI.13Sirimanda Rainsoddenswhatscovered &doesntsoddenwhatsexposed. Soopenupwhatscoveredup, sothatitwontgetsoddenedbytherain. Attackedbydeath istheworld, surroundedbyaging, besetbythearrowofcraving, alwaysobscuredbydesire. Attackedbydeath istheworld, &encircledbyaging, constantlybeaten,withnoshelter, likeathief sentencedtopunishment. Theyencroachlikemassesofflame, thesethree: death,aging,&illness. Theresnostrengthtoconfrontthem, nospeedtorunaway. Makethedaynotinvain, alittleoralot. Howevermuch thedaypasses, thatshowmuchless islife. Yourlastdayapproaches. Thisisntyourtime tobeheedless. Seealso:MN82;UdV.5

VII.1SundaraSamuddaandtheCourtesan

26

Ornamented,finelyclothed garlanded,adorned, herfeetstainedredwithlac, sheworeslippers: acourtesan. Steppingoutofherslippers herhandsraisedbeforeme, palmtopalmoverherheart shesoftly,tenderly, inmeasuredwords spoketomefirst: Youareyoung,recluse. Heedmymessage: Partakeofhumansensuality. Iwillgiveyouluxury. TrulyIvowtoyou, Iwilltendtoyouastoafire. Whenweareold, bothleaningoncanes, thenwewillbothbecomerecluses, winningthebenefitsofbothworlds. Andseeingherbeforeme acourtesan,ornamented,finelyclothed, handspalmtopalmoverherheart likeasnareofdeathlaidout, aptattentionaroseinme, thedrawbacksappeared, disenchantmentstood atanevenkeel: Withthat,myheartwasreleased. SeetheDhammastruerightness! Thethreeknowledges havebeenattained; theBuddhasbidding, done.

27

Seealso:SNI.20

X.5Kappa Fullofthemanyclansofimpurities, thegreatmanufacturerofexcrement, likeastagnantpool, agreattumor, greatwound, fullofblood&lymph, immersedinacesspool, tricklingliquids, thebody isoozingfoulnessalways. Boundtogetherwithsixtysinews, plasteredwithastuccoofmuscle, wrappedinajacketofskin, thisfoulbodyisofnoworthatall. Linkedtogetherwithachainofbones, stitchedtogetherwithtendonthreads, itproducesitsvariouspostures, frombeinghitcheduptogether. Headedsurelytodeath, inthepresenceoftheKingofMortality, themanwholearnstodiscarditrighthere, goeswhereverhewants. Coveredwithignorance, thebodystieddownwithafourfoldtie,1 sunkinthefloods,2 caughtinthenetofobsessions,3 conjoinedwithfivehindrances,4 givenovertothought, accompaniedwiththerootofcraving, roofedwithdelusionsroofing. Thatshowthebodyfunctions,

28 compelledbythecompulsionofkamma, butitsattainmentends inruin. Itsmanybecomingsgo toruin. Thesewhoholdtothisbodyasmine blindfools,peoplerunofthemill fillthehorrificcemetery, takingonfurtherbecoming. Thosewhostayuninvolvedwiththisbody astheywouldwithaserpent smearedwithdung disgorgingtherootofbecoming,5 fromlackoffermentation willbetotallyUnbound.

NOTES 1.Thefourfoldtie:greed,illwill,attachmenttoprecepts&practice,and dogmaticobsessionwithviews. 2.Floods:sensuality,becoming,views,andignorance.SeeSNXLV.171.These areidenticalwiththefouryokes.SeeANIV.10. 3.Obsessions:sensualpsssion,resistance,views,uncertainty,conceit, passionforbecoming,andignorance.SeeANVII.1112. 4.Hindrances:sensualdesire,illwill,sloth&torpor,restlessness&anxiety, anduncertainty.SeeDN2andSNXLVI.51. 5.Therootofbecoming:craving. Seealso:SnI.11

XII.2SunitatheOutcaste InalowlyfamilyIwasborn, poor,withnexttonofood. Myworkwasdegrading:

29 Igatheredthespoiled, thewitheredflowersfromshrines andthrewthemaway. Peoplefoundmedisgusting, despisedme,disparagedme. Loweringmyheart, Ishowedreverencetomany. ThenIsawtheOneSelfawakened, arrayedwithasquadronofmonks, theGreatHero,enteringthecity, supreme,oftheMagadhans. Throwingdownmycarryingpole, Iapproachedhimtodoreverence. Hethesuprememanstoodstill outofsympathy just forme. Afterpayinghomage tothefeetoftheteacher, Istoodtooneside &requestedtheGoingForthfromhim, supremeamongalllivingbeings. ThecompassionateTeacher, sympathetictoalltheworld,said: Come,monk. ThatwasmyformalAcceptance. Alone,Istayedinthewilds, untiring, IfollowedtheTeacherswords, justashe,theConqueror,hadtaughtme. Inthefirstwatchofthenight, Irecollectedpreviouslives; inthemiddlewatch, purifiedthedivineeye; inthelast,

30 burstthemassofdarkness. Then,asnightwasending &thesunreturning, Indra&Brahmacametopayhomagetome, handspalmtopalmattheirhearts: Homagetoyou,Othoroughbredofmen, Homagetoyou,Omansupreme, whosefermentationsareended. You,dearsir,areworthyofofferings. Seeingme,arrayedwithasquadronofdevas, theTeachersmiled&said: Throughausterity,celibacy, restraint,&selfcontrol: Thatshowoneisabrahman. Heisabrahmansupreme. Seealso:SNIII.24;ANIII.58

XIV.1RevatasFarewell SinceIwentforth fromhomeintohomelessness, Ihaventknown anignoble,aversiveresolve. Maythesebeings bedestroyed, beslaughtered, fallintopain Ivenotknownthisresolve inthislong,longtime. ButIhaveknowngoodwill, unlimited, fullydeveloped, nurturedstepafterstep, astaughtbytheOne

31 Awake: toall,afriend; toall,acomrade; forallbeings,sympathetic. AndIdevelopamindofgoodwill, delightinginnonmalevolence always. Unvanquished,unshaken, Igladdenthemind. Idevelopthesublimeabiding, notfrequentedby thelowly. Attainingnothinking, thediscipleoftheRightly SelfawakenedOne isendowedwithnoblesilence straightaway. Asamountainofrock isunmoving, firmlyestablished, soamonk, withtheendingofdelusion, likeamountain, doesntquake. Toapersonwithoutblemish, inconstantquestofwhatspure, ahairtipofevil seemsastormcloud. Asafrontierfortressisguarded within&without, youshouldsafeguardyourselves. Dontletthemoment passyouby. Idontdelightindeath, dontdelightinliving.

32 Iawaitmytime likeaworkerhiswage. Idontdelightindeath, dontdelightinliving. Iawaitmytime mindful,alert. TheTeacherhasbeenservedbyme; theAwakenedOnesbidding, done; theheavyload, laiddown; theguidetobecoming,uprooted. AndthegoalforwhichIwentforth fromhomelifeintohomelessness Ivereached: theend ofallfetters. Attaincompletion throughheedfulness: thatismymessage. Sothen,Imabouttobe Unbound. Imreleased everywhere.

XIV.2Godatta Justasafine,wellbredbull yokedtoaload, enduringhisload, crushed bytheheavyburden, doesntthrowdownhisyoke; so,too,thosewhoarefilledwithdiscernment astheocean,withwater

33 dontlookdownonothers. Thisisnobilityamongbeings. Havingfallenintime undertheswayoftime, havingcomeunderthesway ofbecomingbecoming, peoplefallsubjecttopain &theygrieve. Elated bycausesofpleasure, castdown bycausesofpain, foolsaredestroyed byboth, notseeingthem forwhattheyare. Whilethosewho,inthemidstof pleasure&pain havegonepasttheseamstressofcraving, standfirm likeaboundarypillar, neitherelatednorcastdown. Nottogainorloss nottostatusorhonor, nottopraiseorblame, nottopleasureorpain: everywhere theydonotadhere likeawaterbead onalotus. Everywhere theyarehappy,theenlightened, everywhere un defeated. Nomatterwhat theunrighteousgain

34 ortherighteousloss, righteouslossisbetter thaniftherewereunrighteousgain. Nomatterwhat thestatusoftheunaware orthelowlinessofthosewhoknow, thelowlinessofthosewhoknow isbetter, notthestatusofthose unaware. Nomatterwhat thepraisefromfools orthecensurefromthosewhoknow, thecensurefromthosewhoknow isbetter thaniftherewerepraise fromfools. Andasforthepleasure fromsensuality andthepainfromseclusion, thepainfromseclusion isbetter thaniftherewerepleasure fromsensuality. Andasforlivingthroughunrighteousness anddyingforrighteousness, dyingforrighteousness isbetter, thanifoneweretolive throughunrighteousness. Thosewhoveabandoned sensuality&anger, whosemindsarecalmed frombecoming&non, gothroughtheworld unattached. Forthemthereisnothing

35 dearorundear.

Developing thefactorsforawakening, faculties, &strengths, attainingtheforemostpeace, withoutfermentation,they areentirely Unbound. XVI.1Adhimutta&theBandits Thebanditchief: Thosewho forthesakeofsacrifice forthesakeofwealth wehavekilledinthepast, againsttheirwill havetrembled&babbled fromfear. Butyou youshownofear; yourcomplexionbrightens. Whydontyoulament inthefaceofwhatsgreatlytobefeared? Ven.Adhimutta: Therearenopainfulmindstates,chieftain, inonewithoutlonging. Inonewhosefettersareended, allfearsareovercome. Withtheendingof[craving] theguidetobecoming, whenphenomenaareseen forwhattheyare,

36 thenasinthelayingdownofaburden, theresnofearindeath. Ivelivedwelltheholylife, welldevelopedthepath. Deathholdsnofearforme. Itsliketheendofadisease. Ive livedwelltheholylife, welldevelopedthepath, seenstatesofbecoming asdevoidofallure, likepoisonspitout afteritsdrunk. Onegonetothefarshore withoutclinging,without fermentation histaskcompleted, welcomestheendingoflife, asiffreedfromaplaceofexecution. HavingattainedthesupremeRightness, unconcernedwithalltheworld, asifreleasedfromaburninghouse, hedoesntsorrowatdeath. Whateverscompounded, whereverastateofbecomingsobtained, allthathasnooneincharge: sosaystheGreatSeer. Whoeverdiscernsthis, astaughtbytheAwakenedOne, wouldnomoregrasphold ofanystateofbecoming thanhewould ahotironball. IhavenoIwas,

37 noIwillbe. Fabricationswillsimply gooutofexistence. Whatstolamentthereinthat? Foronewhosees,asitactuallyis, thepurearisingofphenomena, thepureserialityoffabrications, theresnofear. Whenseeingtheworld, withdiscernment, asonapar withgrass&twigs, findingnomineness, thinking,Theresnothingofmine, hefeelsnosorrow. Dissatisfiedwiththiscarcass, Imunconcernedwithbecoming. Thisbodywillbreakup andtherewillnotbeanother. Doasyoulikewiththiscarcass. FromthatIwillfeel neitherhatrednorlove. Hearingtheseawesome,hairraisingwords, theyoungmenthrewdowntheirweapons&said: Whathaveyoudone,sir, orwhohaveyoutakenasmentor? Becauseofwhoseteachings isthislackofsorrowacquired? Ven.Adhimutta: The allknowing, allseeingconqueror: Heismymentor.

38 Greatlycompassionateteacher, alltheworldshealer, thisdoctrineishis, unexcelled,leadingtoending. Becauseofhisteachings isthislackofsorrowacquired. Thebandits,hearingthegoodwordsoftheseer, threwdowntheirswords&theirweapons. Somerelinquishedtheirlifeofcrime, somechosetheGoingForth. Havinggoneforthintheteachings oftheonewellgone, developingthepowers&factorsforawakening, wise,happy, exultantinmind, theirfacultiesripened, theytoucheduncompoundedUnbinding. Seealso:ANIV.184;ThigXIV

XVIII.MahaKassapa Oneshouldntgoabout surrounded,revered byacompany: onegetsdistracted; concentration ishardtogain. Fellowshipwithmanypeople ispainful. Seeingthis, oneshouldntapprove ofacompany. Asageshouldntvisitfamilies: onegetsdistracted;

39 concentration ishardtogain. Heseager&greedyforflavors, whoevermissesthegoal thatbringsbliss. Theyknowitsabog thereverence&veneration offamilies asubtlearrow,hardtoextract. Offeringsarehardforaworthlessman toletgo. *** Comingdownfrommydwellingplace, Ienteredthecityforalms, stoodcourteouslynexttoaleper eatinghismeal. He,withhisrottinghand, tossedmeamorseloffood, andasthemorselwasdropping, afingerfelloff rightthere. Sittingnexttoawall, Iatethatmorseloffood, andneitherwhileeatingit, norhavingeaten, didIfeel anydisgust. Whoeverhasmastered leftoverscrapsforfood, smellyurineformedicine, thefootofatreeforadwelling, castoffragsforrobes: Heisaman ofthefourdirections. ***

40 Wheresomeareexhausted climbingthemountain, there theAwakenedOnesheir mindful,alert, buoyedbyhispsychicpower Kassapaclimbs. Returningfromhisalmsround, climbingthepeak, Kassapadoesjhana withnoclinging, havingabandonedterror &fear. Returningfromhisalmsround, climbingthepeak, Kassapadoesjhana withnoclinging, unbound amongthosewhoburn. Returningfromhisalmsround, climbingthepeak, Kassapadoesjhana withnoclinging, freeoffermentation, hisduty done. Spreadwithgarlandsofvines, placesdelightingthemind, resoundingwithelephants, appealing: thoserockycrags refreshme. Thecolorofbluedarkclouds, glistening, cooledwiththewaters

41 ofclearflowingstreams coveredwithladybugs: thoserockycrags refreshme. Likethepeaksofbluedarkclouds, likeexcellentpeakedroofbuildings, resoundingwithtuskers, appealing: thoserockycrags refreshme. Theirlovelysurfaceswetwithrain, mountainsfrequented byseers &echoing withpeacocks: thoserockycrags refreshme. Thisisenoughforme desiringtodojhana, resolute,mindful; enoughforme desiringthegoal, resolute, amonk; enoughforme desiringcomfort, resolute, intraining; enoughforme desiringmyduty, resolute, Such. Flaxflowerblue, likethesky coveredoverwithclouds;

42 filledwithflocks ofvariousbirds: thoserockycrags refreshme. Uncrowded byhouseholders, frequented byherdsofdeer filledwithflocks ofvariousbirds: thoserockycrags refreshme. Withclearwaters& massiveboulders, frequentedbymonkeys& deer, coveredwithmoss& waterweeds: thoserockycrags refreshme. Thereisnosuchpleasureforme inthemusicofafivepieceband asthereiswhenmymind isatone, seeingtheDhamma aright. *** Oneshouldntdolotsofwork, shouldavoidpeople, shouldntbusyoneself. Heseager&greedyforflavors, whoevermissesthegoal thatbringsbliss. Oneshouldntdolotsofwork, shouldavoid

43 whatdoesntleadtothegoal. Thebodygetswearied, fatigued. Aching,onefinds notranquility. *** Simplybyflappingthemouth onedoesntsee evenoneself. Onegoesaroundstiff necked, thinking,Imbetter thanthey. Notbetter, hethinkshimselfbetter, thefool: thewisedontpraisehim, thestiffneckedman. Butwhoeverisntstirred bythemodesof Imbetter, notbetter. Imworse. Imlikethat; onewhosdiscerning, whoactsashesays, wellcentered invirtues, committedto tranquilityofawareness,he istheone thewise wouldpraise. Onewithnorespect

44 forhisfellowsintheholylife, isasfar fromthetrueDhamma astheearth fromthesky. Butthosewhoseconscience &fearofevil arealwaysrightlyestablished:they haveflourishedintheholylife. Forthem theresnofurtherbecoming. Amonkconceited&vain, eventhoughclad inarobeofcastoffrags, likeamonkeyinalionsskin, doesntshinebecauseofit. Butamonknotconceited orvain, masterful, hisfacultiesrestrained,shines becauseofhisrobeofcastoffrags, likealion inthecleftofamountain. *** Thesemanydevas, powerful,prestigious 10,000devas allofBrahmasretinue, standwiththeirhandsovertheirhearts, payinghomagetoSariputta, theDhammageneral, enlightened, centered, greatmasterofjhana, [saying:]

45

Homagetoyou,Othoroughbredman. Homagetoyou,Osuperlativeman ofwhomwehavenodirectknowledge evenofthat independenceonwhich youdojhana. Howveryamazing: theawakenedones veryowndeeprange ofwhichwehavenodirectknowledge, thoughwehavecome ashairsplittingarchers. SeeingSariputta, amanworthyofworship, worshippedbydevaretinues, Kappina smiled. *** Asfarasthisbuddhafieldextends exceptforthegreatsagehimself Imtheone outstanding inasceticqualities. Theresnooneelse likeme. TheTeacherhasbeenservedbyme; theAwakenedOnesbidding, done; theheavyload, laiddown; theguidetobecoming,uprooted. Neithertorobe, nordwelling, norfood

46 doeshecling: Gotama, likealotusunspotted bywater,inclining torenunciation, detached fromthethreeplanesofbecoming. He, thegreatsage, hastheframesofreference ashisneck, conviction ashands, discernment ashead. Thegreatmasterofjhana hegoesabout alwaysunbound. NOTE:1.Thethreeplanesofbecomingarethesensual,form,and formlessness.SeeSNXII.1. Seealso:ANIII.35;ANIV.128;SNI.10;UdII.10