Miscellaneous
A mixed chapter. It opens by saying the attentive give up material happiness when they see a more abundant happiness, and that those who seek their own happiness by hurting others are not freed from enmity. Six verses repeat that the disciples of Gotama wake refreshed because day and night they recollect the Buddha, the teaching and the Saṅgha, stay mindful of the body, and delight in harmlessness and meditation. Two verses use startling language about slaying mother, father and kings. Others say the good shine from afar like Himalayan peaks, and praise the one who sits, sleeps and wanders alone, taming themselves.
A note on these verses. Verses 294–295 use violent imagery (slaying mother, father and kings) that the verses themselves leave unexplained; verse 302 concerns going forth to the monastic life.
Translated by Bhikkhu Sujato · public domain (CC0) · about 2 min · on SuttaCentral
290If by giving up material happinessone sees abundant happiness,the attentive would give up material happiness,seeing the abundant happiness.
291Seeking their own happinessby imposing suffering on others,intimate with enmity,they’re not freed from enmity.
292They dump what should be done,and do what should not be done.For the insolent and the negligent,their defilements only grow.
293Those that have properly undertakenconstant mindfulness of the body,don’t cultivate what should not be done,but always do what should be done.Mindful and aware,their defilements come to an end.
294Having slain mother and father,and two aristocratic kings,and having wiped outthe kingdom with its tax collector,the brahmin walks on untroubled.
295Having slain mother and father,and two prosperous kings,and a tiger as the fifth,the brahmin walks on untroubled.
296The disciples of Gotamaalways wake up refreshed,who day and nightconstantly recollect the Buddha.
297The disciples of Gotamaalways wake up refreshed,who day and nightconstantly recollect the teaching.
298The disciples of Gotamaalways wake up refreshed,who day and nightconstantly recollect the Saṅgha.
299The disciples of Gotamaalways wake up refreshed,who day and nightare constantly mindful of the body.
300The disciples of Gotamaalways wake up refreshed,whose minds day and nightdelight in harmlessness.
301The disciples of Gotamaalways wake up refreshed,whose minds day and nightdelight in meditation.
302Going forth is hard, it’s hard to be happy;life at home is hard too, and painful,it’s painful to stay when you’ve nothing in common.A traveler is a prey to pain,so don’t be a traveler,don’t be prey to pain.
303One who is faithful, accomplished in ethics,blessed with fame and wealth,is honored in whatever placethey frequent.
304The good shine from afar,like the Himalayan peaks,but the wicked are not seen,like arrows scattered in the night.
305Sitting alone, sleeping alone,tirelessly wandering alone;one who tames themselves alonewould delight within a forest.