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Ekavihāriya

Thag 10.2 · Ekavihāriyattheragāthā

Sunlit grass seed heads beside a quiet woodland path.

If no one else is found before or behind, it’s extremely pleasant to be dwelling alone in a forest grove.

Come now, I’ll go alone to the wilderness praised by the Buddha. It’s pleasant for a mendicant to be dwelling alone and resolute.

Alone and self-disciplined, I’ll quickly enter the delightful forest, which gives joy to meditators, and is frequented by rutting elephants.

In the Cool Grove, so full of flowers, in a cool mountain cave, I’ll bathe my limbs and walk mindfully alone.

When will I dwell alone, without a companion, in the great wood, so delightful, my task complete, free of defilements?

This is what I want to do: may my wish succeed! I’ll make it happen myself, for no one can do another’s duty.

Fastening my armor, I’ll enter the forest. I won’t leave without attaining the end of defilements.

As the cool gale blows with fragrant scent, I’ll split ignorance apart, sitting on the mountain-peak.

In a forest grove covered with blossoms, in a cave so very cool, I take pleasure in the Mountainfold, happy with the happiness of freedom.

I’ve got all I wished for like the moon on the fifteenth day. With the utter ending of all defilements, now there’ll be no more future lives.

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About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato and Jessica Walton · 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.