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← Saṃyutta Nikāya

Free of Strife

SN 1.81 · Araṇasutta

Water flowing gently around weathered stones and moss in a mountain stream.

“Who in the world is free of strife? Whose life is not wasted? Who here completely understands desire? Who always lives as their own master?

To whom do mother, father, and brothers bow when they’re established? Who here, though low born, is bowed to even by aristocrats?”

“Ascetics are free of strife in the world. The life of ascetics is not wasted. Ascetics completely understand desire. Ascetics always live as their own master.

Mother, father, and brothers bow to ascetics when they’re established. Even though an ascetic is low born, they’re bowed to even by aristocrats.”

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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.