If a mortal desires sensual pleasure and their desire succeeds, they definitely become elated, having got what they want.
But for that personage in the throes of pleasure, aroused by desire, when those pleasures fade, it inflicts them like an arrow strike.
One who, being mindful, avoids sensual pleasures like side-stepping a snake’s head, transcends attachment to the world.
There are many objects of sensual desire: fields, lands, and gold; cattle and horses; slaves and servants; women and relatives. When a man lusts over these,
the weak overpower him and adversities crush him. Suffering follows him like water in a leaky boat.
That’s why a personage, ever mindful, should avoid sensual pleasures. Give them up and cross the flood, as a bailed-out boat reaches the far shore.
Sensual Pleasures
Snp 4.1 · Kāmasutta
Connections
Collection & context
- Sutta NipātaThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
Books
- The Buddha before Buddhism: Wisdom from the Early TeachingsGil Fronsdal (translator and commentator) · Translation & commentary
- Handful of Leaves: an Anthology from the Sutta PiṭakaEarly Buddhist discourses; Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (translator and compiler) · Included in anthology
- On the Path: An Anthology on the Noble Eightfold Path drawn from the Pāli CanonṬhānissaro Bhikkhu · Referenced in this book
About this edition
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.