SN 1.10 — Wilderness

English translation by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu.

Translation

Text

The Wilderness
 Arañña Sutta (SN 1:10)

Standing to one side, a devatā addressed the Blessed One with a verse:

“Living in the wilderness,
staying peaceful, remaining chaste,
eating just one meal a day:
why are their faces
  so bright & serene?”

The Buddha:
“They don’t sorrow over the past,
don’t long for the future.
They survive on the present.
That’s why their faces
  are bright & serene.
From longing for the future,
from sorrowing over the past,
  fools wither away
like a green reed cut down.”