Theragatha
Chapter XVI — The Twenties

254

Bhaddiya Kaligodhayaputta

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

For free distribution only.

 

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Whatever the fine clothes I wore
when astride the elephant's neck,
whatever the fine rice I ate, the pure meat sauce,
today — fortunate, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Wearing cast-off cloth, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Going for alms, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Wearing only one triple set of robes, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Bypassing no donors on his alms round, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Eating only one meal a day, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Eating from the bowl, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Refusing food brought afterwards, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Living in the wilderness, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Living at the foot of a tree, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Living in the open air, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Living in a cemetery, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Accepting whatever lodging he's assigned,
persevering,v delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Not lying down, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Modest, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Content, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,v Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Secluded, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Unentangled, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Energy aroused, persevering,
delighting in whatever falls into his bowl,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
does jhāna without clinging.

Abandoning a 100-carat bowl of bronze
and a 100-weight bowl of gold,
I took instead a bowl of clay:
   that was my second consecration.

In the midst of high encircling walls,
strong battlements and gates,
guarded by men with swords in hand —
   trembling
   I used to live.
Today, fortunate, unafraid,
with fear and terror abandoned,
Bhaddiya, son of Godha,
having plunged into the forest,
   does jhāna.

Standing firm in the mass of virtue,
developing mindfulness and discernment,
step by step I attained
the ending of all fetters.