Udāna 21

Heartfelt Sayings 3.1

Born of the Fruits of Deeds

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 mendicant was sitting not far from the Buddha, cross-legged, with his body straight. As a result of past deeds, he suffered painful, sharp, severe, and acute feelings, which he endured unbothered, with mindfulness and awareness.

2 The Buddha saw him meditating and enduring that pain.

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

4 “A mendicant who has left all deeds behind,

shaking off the dust of past deeds,

unselfish, steady, unaffected,

has no need to complain.”