Udāna 15

Heartfelt Sayings 2.5

A Lay Follower

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 a certain lay follower from Icchānaṅgalaka arrived at Sāvatthī on some business. Having concluded his business in Sāvatthī he went to the Buddha, bowed, and sat down to one side. The Buddha said this to him: “It’s been a long time, lay follower, since you took the opportunity to come here.”

2 “For a long time I’ve wanted to come and see the Buddha, but I wasn’t able, being prevented by my many duties and responsibilities.”

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

4 “One who has nothing is happy indeed,

a learned person who has appraised the teaching.

See how troubled are those with attachments,

a person bound tight to people.”