Udāna 13

Heartfelt Sayings 2.3

A Stick

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, between Sāvatthī and the Jeta Grove, several boys were hitting a snake with a stick. Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. He saw the boys hitting the snake.

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

3 “Creatures love happiness,

so if you harm them with a stick

in search of your own happiness,

after death you’ll find no happiness.

4 Creatures love happiness,

so if you don’t harm them with a stick

in search of your own happiness,

after death you will find happiness.”