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# Ud 2.10 Bhaddiya Sutta (The Venerable Bhaddiya) Ud. 2.10

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    [page 1]
    Ud. 2.10

    Kuddaka Nikāya
    The Minor Discourses

    Udāna
    “Inspired Utterances”

    Bhaddiya Sutta
    “The Venerable Bhaddiya”

    Translated by Bhikkhu Candana

    Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2025

    This is what I personally heard.

    Once, The Blessed One was residing at the Mango Grove close to Anupiyā.

    It was around that time, that the Venerable Bhaddiya, son of Kāḷīgodhā, had recently taken
    Refuge in The Triple Gem and gone forth. In addition, he went into seclusion by removing
    himself from the crowd and retreating into the wilderness.

    Living there in the forest, whether while sitting by the roots of a tree, or living and practicing in
    his empty dwelling, he would often exclaim an inspired utterance to himself, while breathing it
    out with a soothing sigh:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed!’

    Now, other Bhikkhus heard that the son of Kāḷīgodhā had recently taken Refuge in The Triple
    Gem and gone forth. In addition, they heard that he went into seclusion by removing himself
    from the crowd and thus retreated into the wilderness.

    Furthermore, these Bhikkhus also heard that although living there in the forest, whether while
    sitting by the roots of a tree, or living and practicing in his empty dwelling, the Venerable
    Bhaddiya continued exclaiming to himself:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed!’

    Then, these Bhikkhus began discussing amongst each other, as they concluded:

    [page 2]
    “Surely, the Venerable Bhaddiya is unhappy in leading the Holy Life! He must be struggling
    having now gone forth and leaving his former life of a royal behind, in order to live the life of a
    Bhikkhu!

    “It is no surprise that now he keeps recollecting the happiness and blissful state he enjoyed as a
    householder living in royal luxury, which is why, now, while secluded there in the forest,
    whether while sitting by the roots of a tree, or living and practicing in his empty dwelling, the
    Venerable Bhaddiya continues exclaiming to himself:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed!’”

    Later, several of those Bhikkhus went and approached The Blessed One, and after paying their
    respects, they sat down to one side and proceeded to inform The Teacher on what they thought
    was taking place with the Venerable Bhaddiya, while reporting:

    “Bhante, as You already know, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, having recently taken Refuge in The Triple
    Gem and gone forth, is now in seclusion, removing himself from the crowd and thus retreating
    into the wilderness.

    “Now, Bhante, it has been reported that although he would be sitting by the roots of a tree, or
    living and practicing in his empty dwelling, the Venerable Bhaddiya continues exclaiming to
    himself:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed!’

    “On hearing about this matter, Bhante, we here began discussing it amongst ourselves, and thus
    reached a conclusion:

    “Surely, the Venerable Bhaddiya is unhappy in leading the Holy Life! He must be struggling
    having now gone forth, and leaving his former life of a royal behind, in order to live the life of a
    Bhikkhu!

    “It is no surprise that now he keeps recollecting the happiness and blissful state he enjoyed as a
    householder living in royal luxury, which is why, now, while secluded there in the forest,
    whether while sitting by the roots of a tree, or living and practicing in his empty dwelling, the
    Venerable Bhaddiya continues to exclaim to himself:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed!’”

    Then, on hearing what they had said, The Blessed One addressed a certain Bhikkhu in this
    manner:

    “Come, Bhikkhu, please go to the Bhikkhu Bhaddiya and inform him: ‘The Teacher calls you.’”

    Then, by replying: “Yes, Bhante!” that Bhikkhu left and informed the Venerable Bhaddiya, the
    son of Kāḷīgodhā, the following:

    [page 3]
    “Friend Bhaddiya, The Teacher calls you.”

    “Yes, friend,” replied the Venerable Bhaddiya, as he immediately went and approached The
    Blessed One. And once having paid his respects to The Teacher, he sat to one side and The
    Blessed One addressed the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, by saying:

    “Is it true, Bhaddiya, that although living secluded in the forest, whether while sitting by the
    roots of a tree, or living and practicing in your empty dwelling, you would often exclaim an
    inspired utterance to yourself, while breathing it out with a soothing sigh:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed?’

    “Yes, Bhante! That is true.”

    “But, Bhaddiya, what is the reason that although living secluded in the forest, whether while
    sitting by the roots of a tree, or living and practicing in your empty dwelling, you would often
    exclaim an inspired utterance to yourself, while breathing it out with a soothing sigh:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed?’”

    “Well, Bhante, in the past, I was the ruler of my domain while living the life of a householder.
    Yet, even though I was surrounded by opulence and prestige, I relied heavily on the presence of
    my palace guards for my protection and welfare, where I could not even leave my royal court or
    move about in my domain, or simply walk around even in my city without the presence of my
    constant companions, the royal personal guards, for my protection and wellbeing.

    “However, Blessed Lord, despite being constantly watched over and surrounded by my security
    guards, I lived a most dreadful life, being a prisoner to my own fears, given my position and
    responsibilities at court, possessing no peace or a genuine sense of security but many worries in
    my heart. Thus, I lived in perpetual anxiety and nervousness, in constant fear of some threat or
    harm befalling me or my domain.

    “But now, Bhante, even though I am mostly alone, in seclusion, living in the wilderness, whether
    while sitting by the roots of a tree or retreating into my empty hut, I have no fear whatsoever, nor
    any worries or concerns of some impending threat coming to me somehow. Instead, I live calm
    and unperturbed, subdued and at ease, roaming free in the wilderness like a wild deer; surviving
    by depending on the kindness of those who feed me; comfortably relaxed with an ever-present
    sense of security.

    “Therefore, Blessed Lord, it is for this reason that although living secluded in the forest, whether
    while sitting by the roots of a tree, or living and practicing in my empty dwelling, from time-to-
    time I cannot help but exclaim to myself, as I breathe it out with a soothing sigh:

    ‘Ah, this is bliss! This is bliss, indeed?’”

    [page 4]
    Then, The Blessed One, highlighting the significance of the event, made this inspired utterance
    as well:

    “Those who no longer have anything to hide,
    With no rage, or angst, or any agitation left inside the heart,
    Are truly the ones who have traversed and gone beyond;
    Having left all sorts of rebirth and becomings behind.

    “They are indeed the ones, who are genuinely happy and free;
    With no grief, sorrow, or fear to ever tie them down,
    For, they are the ones indeed,
    Whom even the highest of Devas can no longer trace or see!”

    Sādhu
    Sādhu
    Sādhu
    Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2025

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