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Khuddaka Nikāya - The Minor Texts

Sutta Nipata

Sutta Nipata Chapter 5: The Way to the Beyond

5:12 The Questions of Jatukaṇṇī

5:12 The Questions of Jatukaṇṇī

 

1096 “Hearing of the hero with no desire for sensual pleasures,”
said Venerable Jatukaṇṇī,
“who has passed over the flood, I’ve come with a question for that desireless one.
Tell me the state of peace, O natural visionary.
Tell me this, Blessed One, as it really is.


1097 For, having mastered sensual desires, the Blessed One proceeds,
as the blazing sun shines on the earth.
May you of vast wisdom explain the teaching
to me of little wisdom so that I may understand
the giving up of rebirth and old age here.”


 

1098 “With sensual desire dispelled,”
replied the Buddha,
“seeing renunciation as sanctuary,
don’t be taking up or putting down
anything at all.

1099 What came before, let wither away,
and after, let there be nothing.
If you don’t grasp at the middle,
you will live at peace.

1100 One rid of greed, brahmin,
for the whole realm of name and form,
has no defilements by which
they might fall under the sway of Death.”


The Young Man Jatukaṇṇī’s Questions are Finished

Jatukaṇṇimāṇavapucchā

(iccāyasmā jatukaṇṇi):

1096"Sutvānahaṁ vīramakāmakāmiṁ,
Oghātigaṁ puṭṭhumakāmamāgamaṁ;
Santipadaṁ brūhi sahajanetta,
Yathātacchaṁ bhagavā brūhi metaṁ.


1097 Bhagavā hi kāme abhibhuyya iriyati,
Ādiccova pathaviṁ tejī tejasā;
Parittapaññassa me bhūripañña,
Ācikkha dhammaṁ yamahaṁ vijaññaṁ;
Jātijarāya idha vippahānaṁ".


(jatukaṇṇīti bhagavā):

1098 "Kāmesu vinaya gedhaṁ,
Nekkhammaṁ daṭṭhu khemato;
Uggahītaṁ nirattaṁ vā,
Mā te vijjittha kiñcanaṁ.

1099 Yaṁ pubbe taṁ visosehi,
pacchā te māhu kiñcanaṁ;
Majjhe ce no gahessasi,
upasanto carissasi.

1100 Sabbaso nāmarūpasmiṁ,
Vītagedhassa brāhmaṇa;
Āsavāssa na vijjanti,
Yehi maccuvasaṁ vaje"ti.


Jatukaṇṇimāṇavapucchā ekādasamā.