“My confidence grew as I heard the teaching, so full of flavor. Dispassion is what was taught, without any grasping at all.”
“There are so many pretty things in this vast territory. They disturb one’s thoughts, it seems to me, attractive, provoking lust.
Just as a rain cloud would settle the dust blown up by the wind, so thoughts settle down when seen with wisdom.
All conditions are impermanent—when this is seen with wisdom one grows disillusioned with suffering: this is the path to purity.
All conditions are suffering—when this is seen with wisdom one grows disillusioned with suffering: this is the path to purity.
All things are not-self—when this is seen with wisdom one grows disillusioned with suffering: this is the path to purity.”
“The senior monk awakened after the Buddha, Koṇḍañña, is keenly energetic. He has given up birth and death, and has completed the spiritual journey.”
“There are floods, snares, and strong posts, and a mountain hard to crack; snapping the posts and snares, breaking the mountain so hard to break, crossing over to the far shore, a meditator is freed from Māra’s bonds.
When a mendicant is haughty and fickle, relying on bad friends, they sink down in the great flood, overcome by a wave.
But one not restless or fickle, alert, with senses restrained, intelligent, with good friends, makes an end of suffering.
With knobbly knees, thin and veiny, eating and drinking in moderation—this person’s spirit is undaunted.
Pestered by flies and mosquitoes in the wilds, the formidable forest, one should mindfully endure, like an elephant at the head of the battle.
I don’t long for death; I don’t long for life; I await my time, like a worker waiting for their wages.
I don’t long for death; I don’t long for life; I await my time, aware and mindful.
I’ve served the Teacher and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions. The heavy burden is laid down, the leash to existence is eradicated.
I’ve attained the goal for the sake of which I went forth from the lay life to homelessness—what use do I have for protégés?”
Koṇḍañña Who Understood
Thag 15.1 · Aññāsikoṇḍaññattheragāthā
Connections
Collection & context
- TheragāthāThe 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
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.