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ud.4.9 Udana

The Discourse about Upasena

Thus I heard: At one time the Gracious One was dwelling near Rājagaha, in Bamboo Wood, at the Squirrels’ Feeding Place. Then when venerable Upasena Vaṅgantaputta had gone into hiding, into seclusion, this reflection arose in his mind:

“There are certainly gains for me, it is certainly a good gain for me, that my teacher is the Gracious One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha, and that I have gone forth from the home to homelessness in such a well explained Dhamma and Discipline, and that my companions in the spiritual life are virtuous, of good character, and that I have fulfilled the virtuous precepts, and that I am composed, and that my mind is one pointed, and that I am a Worthy One, pollutant-free, and that I am of great power, of great majesty. My life has been fortunate, and my death will be fortunate.”

Then the Gracious One, knowing with his mind the reflection in venerable Upasena Vaṅgantaputta’s mind, on that occasion uttered this exalted utterance:

“He whom life does not torment, who does not grieve at the end in death,
If that firm one is one who has seen the state of peace, in the midst of grief he does not grieve.

“For the monk who has cut off the craving for continuity, whose mind is at peace,
Having totally destroyed the round of births, for him there is no continuation in existence.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Ānandajoti

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato


With Upasena

So I have heard.
At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground.
Then as Venerable Upasena son of Vaṅgantā was in private retreat this thought came to his mind:
“I’m so fortunate, so very fortunate!
My Teacher is the Blessed One, perfected, a fully awakened Buddha.
Well explained is the teaching and training in which I have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness.
My spiritual companions are ethical and of good character.
I have fulfilled the precepts.
My mind is unified and serene.
I am a perfected one who has ended the defilements.
I am of great might and power.
My life has been good, and my death will be good.”
Then, knowing what that Venerable Upasena was thinking, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:
“One who has no guilt in life,
nor grief at facing death:
that wise one who has seen the truth,
grieves not among the grieving.
For the mendicant with peaceful mind,
who has cut off craving for continued existence,
Transmigration through births is finished,
there are no future lives for them.”