snp.5.10 Suttanipata
The Young Man Todeyya’s Questions
“He who has no in-dwelling sense desires,” said venerable Todeyya,
“he in whom no craving is found,
he who crossed beyond doubts,
what kind of freedom is there for him?”
“He who has no in-dwelling sense desires,” said the Gracious One,
“he in whom no craving is found,
he who has crossed beyond doubts,
there is no further freedom for him.”
“Is he without yearning, or is he still yearning?” said venerable Todeyya,
“Is he wise, or is he still acquiring wisdom?
I would know just what the sage is like, Sakyan:
Explain that to me, All-Seeing Visionary.”
“He is without yearning, he is not still yearning.
He is wise, he is not still acquiring wisdom.
Know that the Sage is just like this, Todeyya:
he has nothing, and is not clinging to sense existence.”
The Young Man Todeyya’s Questions are Finished
- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti
- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato
Todeyya’s Questions
Todeyya
In whom do sense-desires dwell not
and craving can’t be found,
crossed beyond consuming doubt—
what’s freedom for this one?
Buddha
In whom do sense-desires dwell not
and craving can’t be found,
crossed beyond consuming doubt—
than this, is freedom not apart.
Todeyya
No inclinations or with longings still?
One with wisdom wanting, or with wisdom won?
Explain to me please, O All-seeing Sakya,
how I may well discern a sage.
Buddha
No inclinations at all and no longings left,
not one with wisdom wanting but one with wisdom won
know as a sage, Todeyya, one who nothing owns,
one who is to sensual being unattached.
- Translator: Laurence Khantipalo Mills
The Questions of Todeyya
“In whom sensual pleasures do not dwell,”
said Venerable Todeyya,
“and for whom there is no craving,
and who has crossed over doubts—
of what kind is their liberation?”
“In whom sensual pleasures do not dwell,”
replied the Buddha,
“and for whom there is no craving,
and who has crossed over doubts—
their liberation is none other than this.”
“Are they free of hope, or are they still in need of hope?
Do they possess wisdom, or are they still forming wisdom?
O Sakyan, elucidate the sage to me,
so that I may understand, All-seer.”
“They are free of hope, they are not in need of hope.
They possess wisdom, they are not still forming wisdom.
That, Todeyya, is how to understand a sage,
one who has nothing, unattached to sensual life.”
