Udāna 50

Heartfelt Sayings 5.10

With Cūḷapanthaka

1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time Venerable Cūḷapanthaka was sitting not far from the Buddha, cross-legged, his body set straight, and mindfulness brought to the present.

2 The Buddha saw him meditating there.

3 Then, understanding this matter, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

4 “Steady in body, steady in mind,

standing, sitting or lying down:

a mendicant focusing on this mindfulness

gains an ever higher distinction.

And when they have done so,

they vanish from the King of Death.”