Free from Pain

Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds

[1][pts] I Hear Tell:

Once upon a time The Lucky Man, Sāvatthī-town revisiting.

There he addressed the beggars:

"Beggars!"

"Bhante!" they responded.

The Lucky Man said this to them:

"Whoever, beggars, takes delight in the earthly
he takes delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes delight in pain
he is not thoroughly free from pain,
I say.

Whoever, beggars, takes delight in the watery
he takes delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes delight in pain
he is not thoroughly free from pain,
I say.

Whoever, beggars, takes delight in the fiery
he takes delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes delight in pain
he is not thoroughly free from pain,
I say.

Whoever, beggars, takes delight in the windy
he takes delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes delight in pain
he is not thoroughly free from pain,
so I say.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in the earthly
he takes no delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in pain
he is thoroughly free from pain,
I say.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in the watery
he takes no delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in pain
he is thoroughly free from pain,
I say.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in the fiery
he takes no delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in pain
he is thoroughly free from pain,
I say.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in the windy
he takes no delight in pain.

Whoever, beggars, takes no delight in pain
he is thoroughly free from pain,
so say I."