Saŋyutta Nikāya
I. Sagatha Vagga
8. Vangisa-Thera-saɱyutta
Sutta 4
Ananda Sutta
Ananda (Instructions to Vaŋgīsa)
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Provenance, terms and conditons
[4.1] On one occasion Ven. Ananda was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Then early in the morning he put on his robes and, carrying his bowl and outer robe, went into Sāvatthī for alms with Ven. Vaŋgīsa as his attendant monk. Now at that time dissatisfaction (with the chaste life) had arisen in Ven. Vaŋgīsa. Lust invaded his mind. So he addressed Ven. Ananda with this verse:
With sensual lust I burn.
My mind is on fire.
Please, Gotama, from compassion,
tell me how
to put it out.
[Ven. Ananda:]
From distorted perception
your mind is on fire.
Shun the theme of the beautiful
accompanied by lust.
See mental fabrications as other,
as stress,
and not-self.
Extinguish your great lust.
Don't keep burning again and again.
Develop the mind
well-centered and one
in the foul,
through the foul.
Have your mindfulness
immersed in the body.
Be one who pursues
disenchantment.
Develop the theme-less.
Cast out conceit.
Then, from breaking through
conceit,
you will go on your way
at peace.