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With Upasena

Ud 4.9 · Upasenasutta

A white waterlily opening on a still pond in soft morning light.

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Then as Venerable Upasena son of Vaṅgantā was in private retreat this thought came to his mind: “I’m so fortunate, so very fortunate! My Teacher is the Blessed One, perfected, a fully awakened Buddha. Well explained is the teaching and training in which I have gone forth from the lay life to homelessness. My spiritual companions are ethical and of good character. I have fulfilled the precepts. My mind is unified and serene. I am a perfected one who has ended the defilements. I am of great might and power. My life has been good, and my death will be good.”

Then, knowing that Venerable Upasena’s train of thought, on that occasion the Buddha expressed this heartfelt sentiment:

“One who has no guilt in life, nor grief at facing death: that attentive one who has seen the truth, grieves not among the grieving.

For the mendicant with peaceful mind, who has cut off craving for continued existence, transmigration through births is finished, there’ll be no more future lives for them.”

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Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · 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.