Uruveḷakassapa

Thag 6.1 · Uruveḷakassapattheragāthā

Fresh saplings growing beneath the spreading canopy of an old fig tree.

Seeing the demonstrations of the renowned Gotama was not enough for me to bow to him—I was blinded by jealousy and conceit.
Knowing my thoughts, the trainer of men scolded me. I was struck with a sense of urgency, so astonishing and hair-raising!
Setting aside the petty powers I had before as a matted-hair ascetic, I then went forth in the victor’s instruction.
I used to be content with sacrifice, the realm of sensual pleasures was my priority. But later I eradicated desire, and hatred and also delusion.
I know my past lives; my clairvoyance is clarified; I have psychic powers, and know the minds of others; I have attained clairaudience.
I’ve attained the goal for the sake of which I went forth from the lay life to homelessness—the ending of all fetters.

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.