The Ancient Ariyan Heritage

Translated from Dīgha Nikāya III #33: Sangiti Suttanta
by
Michael M. Olds

 

Here friends
a beggar is content having anywhich robe,
speaks well of contentment with anywhich robe,
does not accept un-essential or unseemly robes;
not obtaining robes he is not dissatisfied,
attaining robes he accepts and uses them
without greed and infatuation,
thus he guiltlessly enjoys the use thereof
perceiving the possible dangers,
wise to the ways things work out.

Furthermore,
being content having anywhich robe,
he neither puts himself above nor puts down others,
nor is he self satisfied at being of such respectable behavior.

He indeed is one who may be called
one of the Ancient, Old-Time Aristocrats.

Again, friends
a beggar is content having any lump-dole'd'inni-bowl,
speaks well of contentment with any food put in the bowl,
does not accept un-essential or unseemly food;
not obtaining food he is not dissatisfied,
attaining food he accepts and uses it
without greed and infatuation,
thus he guiltlessly enjoys the use thereof
perceiving the possible dangers,
wise to the ways things work out.

Furthermore,
being content with any handouts,
he neither puts himself above nor puts down others,
nor is he self satisfied at being of such respectable behavior.

He indeed is one who may be called
one of the Ancient, Old-Time Aristocrats.

Again, friends
a beggar is content having any sit'n'sleep'n-spot,
speaks well of contentment with any place to sit and sleep,
does not accept un-essential or unseemly dwelling places;
not obtaining lodging he is not dissatisfied,
attaining shelter he accepts and uses it
without greed and infatuation,
thus he guiltlessly enjoys the use thereof
perceiving the possible dangers,
wise to the ways things work out.

Furthermore,
being content with any sit'n'sleep'n-spot,
he neither puts himself above nor puts down others,
nor is he self satisfied at being of such respectable behavior.

He indeed is one who may be called
one of the Ancient, Old-Time Aristocrats.

Again, friends,
a beggar taking pleasure in letting go,
enjoying letting go,
taking pleasure in advancement,
enjoying advancement
and furthermore,
taking pleasure in letting go,
enjoying letting go,
taking pleasure in advancement,
enjoying advancement,
he neither puts himself above nor puts down others,
nor is he self satisfied at being of such respectable behavior.

He indeed is one who may be called
one of the Ancient, Old-Time Aristocrats.