Aranna Sutta
Nala Vagga, Devata Samyutta
Sagatha Vagga Samyutta, Samyutta Nikaya, Suttanta Pitaka

10. Aranna Sutta
Discourse on Forest-Dwelling

          10. The Bhagava was staying at Savatthi.. Standing at a suitable place, the deva spoke thus in verse in the presence of the Bhagava:

          "How do the forest-dwellers, practising the Life of Purity, calming the defilements and taking only one meal a day, keep their appearance clear and serene?"

          (The Bhagava said:)

          " They who do not brood over the past¹ and do not wish for a favourable future²but are contented with whatever is at hand, keep their appearance clear and serene. "The foolish who yearn for a favourable future or who brood over the past wither away for these two reasons, like the green reed that has been cut down."

End of the Aranna Sutta,

the tenth in this vagga.

FOOTNOTES

          1. They who do not brood over the past: Circumstances may have changed for the worse. For instance, in the past there may have been devoted rulers who tended well to the needs of the Samgha so that the members of the Samgha had lived in comfort. Now that times have changed and food and robes have become scarce, the wise bhikkhu does not brood over the past easier days but takes life with equanimity.

          2. And do not wish for a favourable future: Such a wise bhikkhu does not speculate on rosier days ahead. Perhaps another devout ruler might reign again when milk and honey would flow for the Samgha. But such worldly thoughts do not occur to the true bhikkhu.

End of the Nala Vagga,

the first in the Devata Samyutta.

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