Bhaddiya has plucked out craving, root and all, and in a jungle thicket on the far side of the Wild Mango Monastery, he practices absorption; he is truly well-favored.
Some delight in clay drums, in arched harps, and in cymbals. But here, at the foot of a tree, I delight in the Buddha’s teaching.
If the Buddha were to grant me one wish, and I were to get what I wished for, I’d choose for the whole world constant mindfulness of the body.
Those who’ve judged me on appearance, and those swayed by my voice, are full of desire and greed; they don’t know me.
Not knowing what’s inside, nor seeing what’s outside, the fool shut in on every side, gets carried away by a voice.
Not knowing what’s inside, but discerning what’s outside, seeing the fruit outside, they’re also carried away by a voice.
Understanding what’s inside, and discerning what’s outside, of unhindered vision, they don’t get carried away by a voice.
Bhaddiya the Dwarf
Thag 7.2 · Lakuṇḍakabhaddiyattheragāthā
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- 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.