Sutta Nipāta
5
Sutta 8. Hemaka-manava-puccha Sutta
Hemaka's Question
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.
Hemaka:
In the past,
before hearing Gotama's teaching,
when anyone explained 'It was,' 'It will be,'
all that was hearsay,
quoted words.
All that promoted conjecture
and gave me no pleasure.
Now, sage, teach me the Dhamma
demolishing craving,
knowing which, living mindfully,
one would cross over beyond
entanglement in the world.
The Buddha:
Here, Hemaka,
with regard to things that are dear
-- seen, heard, sensed, and cognized --
there is: the dispelling of passion and desire,
the undying state of Unbinding.
Those knowing this, mindful,
fully unbound
in the here and now,
are forever calmed,
have crossed over beyond
entanglement in the world.
