SN1_20: Samiddhi Sutta

Samiddhi Sutta - translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu

“Without having enjoyed

(sensual pleasures),

you go for alms, monk.

You don’t go for alms

after having enjoyed.

Having enjoyed, monk,

then go for alms.

Don’t let time pass you by.”

Ven. Samiddhi:

“I don’t know my time.

My time

is hidden.

It can’t be seen.

That’s why, not having enjoyed,

I go for alms:

Don’t let my time pass me by.”

“Perceiving in terms of signs, beings

take a stand on signs.

Not fully comprehending signs, they

come into the bonds

of death.

But fully comprehending signs, one

doesn’t suppose

a signifier.1

Yet nothing exists for him

by which one would say,

‘To him no thought occurs.’

If you know this, spirit, then say so.”

The Buddha:

“Whoever supposes

‘equal,’

‘superior,’ or

‘inferior,’

by that he’d dispute.

Whereas to one unaffected by these three,

‘equal’

‘superior’

do not occur.2

If you know this, spirit, then say so.”

The Buddha:

“Having

shed classifications,

gone beyond conceit,

he has here

cut

through craving

for name

& form:

This one—

his bonds cut through,

free

from trouble,

from longing—

though they search, they can’t find him,

human beings & devas,

here & beyond,

in heaven

or any abode.3

If you know this, spirit, then say so.”

In all the world,

every world,

you should do no evil

with         speech,

body,

or mind.

Having abandoned sensuality

—mindful, alert—

don’t consort

with suffering & stress,

with what doesn’t pertain

to the goal.”4

Notes

1. This verse is from Iti 63.

2. This verse is from Sn 4:9.

3. This verse is also found in SN 1:40.

4. This verse is also found in SN 1:34.

Origin URL: https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/SN/SN1_20.html