Snp 5.12

Jatukaṇṇimāṇavapucchā

“Sutvānahaṁ vīramakāmakāmiṁ, (iccāyasmā jatukaṇṇi) Oghātigaṁ puṭṭhumakāmamāgamaṁ; Santipadaṁ brūhi sahajanetta, Yathātacchaṁ bhagavā brūhi metaṁ.

The Questions of Jatukaṇṇī

“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.

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

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.”

“Kāmesu vinaya gedhaṁ, (jatukaṇṇīti bhagavā) Nekkhammaṁ daṭṭhu khemato; Uggahītaṁ nirattaṁ vā, Mā te vijjittha kiñcanaṁ.

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

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

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.

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

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.”