sutta » sn » sn1 » Saṁyutta Nikāya 1.17

Dukkarasutta

Hard to Do Difficult to Practise

“Dukkaraṁ duttitikkhañca,
“Hard to do, hard to endure,
“Hard to practise, hard to endure,

abyattena ca sāmaññaṁ;
is the ascetic life for the inept,
for the inept, is the ascetic life,

Bahūhi tattha sambādhā,
for it has many narrow passes
For many are the obstructions there

yattha bālo visīdatī”ti.
where the fool founders.”
In which the fool founders. ”

“Katihaṁ careyya sāmaññaṁ,
“How many days could an ascetic live
“How many days can one practise the ascetic life

cittañce na nivāraye;
without controlling the mind?
If one does not rein in one’s mind?

Pade pade visīdeyya,
They’d founder with each step,
One would founder with each step

saṅkappānaṁ vasānugoti.
under the sway of thoughts.
Under the control of one’s intentions.

Kummova aṅgāni sake kapāle,
A mendicant should collect their thoughts
“As a tortoise draws its limbs into its shell,

Samodahaṁ bhikkhu manovitakke;
as a tortoise draws its limbs into its shell.
Drawing in the mind’s thoughts

Anissito aññamaheṭhayāno,
Independent, not disturbing others,
Independent, not harassing others,

Parinibbuto nūpavadeyya kañcī”ti.
quenched: they wouldn’t blame anyone.”
fully quenched, A bhikkhu would not blame anyone. ”