Theragāthā 240
Verses of the Senior Monks 11.1
The Book of the Elevens
Chapter One
Saṅkicca
1 “What good does it do you to be in the grove, my dear?
You’re like a little bird in the monsoon!
The city of Verambhā is nice for you—
seclusion is for meditators.”
2 “Just as the wind in Verambhā
scatters the monsoon clouds as they pour down,
so the city scatters
my perception of seclusion.”
3 “It’s all black and born of an egg—
the crow whose abode is the charnel ground
rouses my mindfulness,
based on dispassion for the body.”
4 “He who is not guarded by others,
and who does not guard others,
truly sleeps at ease, mendicant,
unconcerned for sensual pleasures.”
5 “The water’s clear and the rocks are broad,
monkeys and deer are all around;
festooned with dewy moss,
these rocky crags delight me!
6 I’ve stayed in the wilderness,
in caves and caverns
and remote lodgings
frequented by beasts of prey.
7 ‘May these beings be killed!
May they be slaughtered! May they suffer!’—
I’m not aware of having any such
ignoble, hateful thoughts.
8 I’ve served the Teacher
and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
The heavy burden is laid down,
the leash to existence is eradicated.
9 I’ve attained the goal
for the sake of which I went forth
from the lay life to homelessness—
the ending of all fetters.
10 I don’t long for death;
I don’t long for life;
I await my time,
like a worker waiting for their wages.
11 I don’t long for death;
I don’t long for life;
I await my time,
aware and mindful.”