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snp.5.13 Suttanipata

The Young Man Bhadrāvudha’s Questions

“The home-leaver, the craving-cutter, the unmoved one,” said venerable Bhadrāvudha,
“the enjoyment-leaver, the flood-crosser, the free one,
the speculation-leaver, the intelligent one—him I beg,
after hearing the Strong One, they will go away from here.

“Various people have come from the countries,
and are waiting for your saying, O hero,
you must explain the Teaching properly to them,
for this Teaching has been understood by you.”

“You must remove all attachment to craving, Bhadrāvudha,” said the Gracious One,
“above, below, and across the middle,
for with whatever they are attached to in the world,
with just that Māra follows a man.

“Therefore knowing this, the mindful monk should
not be attached to anything in the whole world,
seeing that with what is called attachment to clinging,
these people are clinging to the realm of Death.”

The Young Man Bhadrāvudha’s Questions are Finished

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato


Bhadrāvudha’s Question

Bhadra
With home let go, craving cut and undisturbed,
delight let go, crossed the flood and free,
time let go and truly wise—I beg of you—
various people here from provinces assembled;

O Hero, they’re longing for your words,
do well declare these to them now,
for certainly this Dharma has been Known by you,
then having heard the Nāga they’ll depart from here.

Buddha
Beyond all acquisitive craving you should train,
above, below, across and in between,
whatever is grasped at in the world,
with that does Māra that person pursue.

Knowing this, therefore the mindful bhikkhu
in all worlds grasps not anything,
understanding well those acquisitive beings,
those people adhering to the realm of death.

- Translator: Laurence Khantipalo Mills


The Questions of Bhadrāvudha

“I beseech you, the shelter-leaver, the craving-cutter, the imperturbable,”
said Venerable Bhadrāvudha,
“the delight-leaver, the flood-crosser, the freed,
the formulation-leaver, the intelligent.
Different people have gathered from across the nations
wishing to hear your word, O hero.
After hearing the spiritual giant they will depart from here.
Please, sage, answer them clearly,
for truly you understand this matter.”
“Dispel all craving for attachments,”
replied the Buddha,
“above, below, all round, between.
For whatever a person grasps in the world,
Māra pursues them right there.
So let a mindful mendicant who understands
not grasp anything in all the world,
observing that, in clinging to attachments,
these people cling to the domain of death.”