I rode on an elephant’s neck, wearing luxurious clothes. I ate boiled fine rice with pure meat sauce.
Today I am fortunate, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Wearing rags, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Living on almsfood, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Possessing only three robes, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Wandering for alms indiscriminately, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Sitting alone, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Eating only what’s put in the alms-bowl, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Never eating too late, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Living in the wilderness, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Living at the foot of a tree, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Living in the open, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Living in a charnel ground, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Accepting whatever seat is offered, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Not lying down to sleep, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Few in wishes, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Content, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Secluded, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Aloof, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Energetic, persistent, happy with the scraps in my bowl: Bhaddiya son of Godhā practices absorption without grasping.
Giving up a hundred ounces of bronze, and a hundred grains of gold, I took a bowl made of clay: this is my second initiation.
I used to live in a citadel with walls so high, with battlements strong and gates, all guarded by swordsmen—and yet I was afraid.
Today I am fortunate, free of cowardice, with fear and dread given up. Bhaddiya son of Godhā has plunged into the forest and practices absorption.
Established in the entire spectrum of ethics, developing mindfulness and wisdom, gradually I attained the ending of all fetters.
Kāḷigodhāputtabhaddiya
Thag 16.7 · Kāḷigodhāputtabhaddiyattheragāthā
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
Books
- 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 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.