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Samyutta Nikaya I.9

Arañña Sutta

The Wilderness

Standing to one side, a devata addressed the Blessed One with a verse:

Living in the wilderness,
staying peaceful, remaining chaste,
eating just one meal a day:
why are their faces
so bright & serene?

[The Buddha:]

They don't sorrow over the past,
    don't long for the future.
They survive on the present.
That's why their faces
    are bright & serene.
From longing for the future,
from sorrowing over the past,
    fools wither away
like a green reed cut down.

Source: ATI - For Free Distribution Only, as a Gift of Dhamma.

Dhamma Essay:
Skillful Means by Ayya Khema