Ud 6.9 — Hastening By

English translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.

Translation

Text

Ud 6:9 Rushing (Upāti Sutta)

I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Sāvatthī at Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now on that occasion, in the pitch-black darkness of the night, the Blessed One was sitting in the open air while oil lamps were burning. And on that occasion, many flying insects, flying into & around those lamps, were meeting their downfall, meeting their misfortune, meeting their downfall & misfortune in those oil lamps. The Blessed One saw those flying insects, flying into & around those lamps, meeting their downfall, meeting their misfortune, meeting their downfall & misfortune in those oil lamps.

Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:

Rushing headlong,
missing what’s essential,
bringing on one new bond
    after another,
they fall, like insects into a flame:
    those intent
    on things seen,
    things heard.