sn.1.10 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Forest

At Savatthi. Standing to one side, that devatā recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

“Those who dwell deep in the forest,
Peaceful, leading the holy life,
Eating but a single meal a day:
Why is their complexion so serene?”

The Blessed One:

“They do not sorrow over the past,
Nor do they hanker for the future.
They maintain themselves with what is present:
Hence their complexion is so serene.

“Through hankering for the future,
Through sorrowing over the past,
Fools dry up and wither away
Like a green reed cut down.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Wilderness

At Sāvatthī.
Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Buddha in verse:
“Living in the wilderness,
peaceful spiritual practitioners
eat just one meal a day:
so why is their complexion so clear?”
“They don’t grieve for the past,
nor do they long for the future;
they feed on whatever comes that day,
that’s why their complexion’s so clear.
Because they long for the future,
and grieve for the past,
fools wither away,
like a green reed mowed down.”