Theragatha
Chapter V — The Fives

198

Rajadatta

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

For free distribution only.

 

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I, a monk,
gone to the charnel ground,
saw a woman cast away,
    discarded
there in the cemetery.

Though some were disgusted,
seeing her -- dead, evil --
            lust
    appeared,
as if I were blind
    to the oozings.

In less time than it takes
for rice to cook,
I got out of that place.
Mindful, alert, I
sat down to one side.
Then apt attention arose in me,
the drawbacks appeared,
    disenchantment stood
    at an even keel:

With that, my heart was released.
See the Dhamma's true rightness!
The three knowledges
have been attained;
the Awakened One's bidding,
        done.