Gotama

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

For free distribution only.

While wandering on
I went to hell;
    went again and again
to the world of the hungry shades;
    stayed countless times, long,
in the pain of the animal womb;
    enjoyed
the human state;
went to heaven
    from time to time;
settled in the elements of form,
the elements of formlessness,
neither-perception, perception-less.

Ways of taking birth
are now known:
    devoid of essence,
    unstable,
    conditioned,
    always driven along.
Knowing them
as born from my self,
mindful
I went right to peace.

Theragatha Chapter III — The Threes

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Gotama

Theragatha
Chapter III — The Threes