Thig 5.4 — Verses of the Elder Sundarīnandā

English translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.

Translation

Text

Thig 5:4 Nandā’s Vision

“Sick, putrid, unclean:
look, Nandā, at this physical heap.
Through contemplation of the foul,
develop your mind,
make it one, well-centered.

    As this [your body], so that.
    As that, so this.
It gives off a foul stench,
the delight of fools.”
Considering it thus,
untiring, both day & night,
I, with my own discernment
    dissecting it,
        saw.

And as I, heedful,
    examined it aptly,
this body—as it actually is—
was seen inside & out.

Then was I disenchanted with the body
    & dispassionate within:
Heedful, detached,
    calmed was I.

        Unbound.