iti.38 Itivuttaka

Thoughts

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Two thoughts, mendicants, often occur to the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha:
the thought of sanctuary, and that of seclusion.
The Realized One loves kindness and delights in it,
so this thought often occurs to him:
‘Through this behavior, I shall not hurt any creature firm or frail.’
The Realized One loves seclusion and delights in it,
so this thought often occurs to him:
‘What is unskillful has been given up.’
So, mendicants, you too should love kindness and delight in it,
then this thought will often occur to you:
‘Through this behavior, I shall not hurt any creature firm or frail.’
You too should love seclusion and delight in it,
then this thought will often occur to you:
‘What is unskillful? What is not given up? What should I give up?’”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“Two thoughts occur to him,
the Realized One, the bearer of the unbearable:
first mentioned was thought of sanctuary,
then the second made clear was seclusion.
Dispeller of darkness, the great hermit has crossed over:
the attained, the master, the undefiled.
In the midst of it all, he is freed in the ending of craving;
that sage bears his final body.
He has disposed of Māra, I declare, and gone beyond old age.
Standing high on a rocky mountain,
you can see the people all around.
In just the same way, the all-seer, wise one,
having ascended the Temple of Truth,
rid of sorrow, looks upon the people
swamped with sorrow, oppressed by rebirth and old age.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.