SN 1.10 · Araññasutta
At Sāvatthī.
Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Buddha in verse:
“Living in the wilderness, peaceful spiritual practitioners eat just one meal a day: so why is their complexion so clear?”
“They don’t grieve for the past, nor do they pray for the future; they feed on whatever comes that day, that’s why their complexion’s so clear.
Because they pray for the future, and grieve for the past, fools wither away, like a green reed mowed down.”
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0
This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.
Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.