- Anthology of Discourses 1.12 Sutta Nipāta 1.12
The Sage Munisutta
Peril stems from intimacy, Santhavāto bhayaṁ jātaṁ, dust comes from an abode. niketā jāyate rajo; Freedom from abode and intimacy: Aniketamasanthavaṁ, that is the sage’s vision. etaṁ ve munidassanaṁ.
Having cut down what’s grown, <j>they wouldn’t replant, Yo jātamucchijja na ropayeyya, nor would they nurture what’s growing. Jāyantamassa nānuppavecche; That’s who they call a sage wandering alone, Tamāhu ekaṁ muninaṁ carantaṁ, the great seer has seen the state of peace. Addakkhi so santipadaṁ mahesi.
Having appraised the fields and measured the seeds, Saṅkhāya vatthūni pamāya bījaṁ, they wouldn’t nurture them with moisture. Sinehamassa nānuppavecche; Truly that sage who sees the ending of rebirth Sa ve munī jātikhayantadassī, has left speculation behind and is beyond reckoning. Takkaṁ pahāya na upeti saṅkhaṁ.
Understanding all the planes of rebirth, Aññāya sabbāni nivesanāni, not wanting a single one of them, Anikāmayaṁ aññatarampi tesaṁ; Truly that sage freed of greed Sa ve munī vītagedho agiddho, need not swim, <j>for they have reached the far shore. Nāyūhatī pāragato hi hoti.
The champion, all-knower, so very intelligent, Sabbābhibhuṁ sabbaviduṁ sumedhaṁ, unsullied in the midst of all things, Sabbesu dhammesu anūpalittaṁ; has given up all, freed in the ending of craving: Sabbañjahaṁ taṇhakkhaye vimuttaṁ, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
Strong in wisdom, <j>with precepts and observances intact, Paññābalaṁ sīlavatūpapannaṁ, serene, loving absorption, mindful, Samāhitaṁ jhānarataṁ satīmaṁ; released from chains, kind, undefiled: Saṅgā pamuttaṁ akhilaṁ anāsavaṁ, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
The diligent sage wandering alone, Ekaṁ carantaṁ munimappamattaṁ, is unshaken by blame and praise—Nindāpasaṁsāsu avedhamānaṁ; like a lion not startled by sounds, Sīhaṁva saddesu asantasantaṁ, like wind not caught in a net, Vātaṁva jālamhi asajjamānaṁ; like water not sticking to a lotus. Padmaṁva toyena alippamānaṁ, Leader of others, not by others led: Netāramaññesamanaññaneyyaṁ; that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
Steady as a post in a bathing-place Yo ogahaṇe thambhorivābhijāyati, when others speak endlessly against them, Yasmiṁ pare vācāpariyantaṁ vadanti; freed of greed, with senses stilled: Taṁ vītarāgaṁ susamāhitindriyaṁ, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
Steadfast, straight as a shuttle, Yo ve ṭhitatto tasaraṁva ujju, horrified by wicked deeds, Jigucchati kammehi pāpakehi; discerning the just and the unjust: Vīmaṁsamāno visamaṁ samañca, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
Restrained, they do no evil, Yo saññatatto na karoti pāpaṁ, young or middle-aged, the sage is self-controlled. Daharo majjhimo ca muni yatatto; Irreproachable, he does not insult anyone: Arosaneyyo na so roseti kañci, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
When one who lives on charity receives alms, Yadaggato majjhato sesato vā, from the top, the middle, or the leftovers, Piṇḍaṁ labhetha paradattūpajīvī; they think it unworthy to praise or put down: Nālaṁ thutuṁ nopi nipaccavādī, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
The sage lives refraining from sex, Muniṁ carantaṁ virataṁ methunasmā, even when young is not tied down, Yo yobbane nopanibajjhate kvaci; refraining from indulgence and negligence, freed: Madappamādā virataṁ vippamuttaṁ, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
Understanding the world, <j>the seer of the ultimate goal, Aññāya lokaṁ paramatthadassiṁ, the unaffected one, <j>having crossed the flood and the ocean, Oghaṁ samuddaṁ atitariya tādiṁ; has cut the ties, unattached and undefiled: Taṁ chinnaganthaṁ asitaṁ anāsavaṁ, that’s who the attentive know as a sage. Taṁ vāpi dhīrā muni vedayanti.
The two are not the same, <j>far apart in lifestyle and conduct—Asamā ubho dūravihāravuttino, the householder providing for a wife, <j>and the selfless one true to their vows. Gihī dāraposī amamo ca subbato; The unrestrained householder kills other creatures, Parapāṇarodhāya gihī asaññato, while the restrained sage <j>always protects living creatures. Niccaṁ munī rakkhati pāṇine yato.
As the crested blue-necked peacock <j>flying through the sky Sikhī yathā nīlagīvo vihaṅgamo, never approaches the speed of the swan, Haṁsassa nopeti javaṁ kudācanaṁ; so the householder cannot compete <j>with the mendicant, Evaṁ gihī nānukaroti bhikkhuno, the sage meditating secluded in the woods. Munino vivittassa vanamhi jhāyatoti.
Munisuttaṁ dvādasamaṁ.
Uragavaggo paṭhamo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Urago dhaniyo ceva, visāṇañca tathā kasi; Cundo parābhavo ceva, vasalo mettabhāvanā.
Sātāgiro āḷavako, Vijayo ca tathā muni; Dvādasetāni suttāni, Uragavaggoti vuccatīti.