Saṃyutta Nikāya
4. Saḷāyatana Vagga
35. Saḷāyatana Saṃyutta
§ III: Paññāsaka Tatiya
5. Nava-Purāṇa Vagga

Sutta 145

Kamma Suttaṃ

Deeds

Translated from the Pāḷi
by
Michael M. Olds

 

---

 

[1][pts][than][bodh] I Hear Tell:

Once upon a time, Lucky Man,
to the Beggars gathered round
said:

"Bhikkhus!"

And upon the bhikkhus responding "Bhante!" Bhagava said:

"I will describe to you, beggars,
deeds new-and-old,
deed-ending,
and the walk to walk to deed-ending.

So listen up,
study this well in mind!

I will speak!

And what, beggars are old deeds?

Eye, beggars, is an old deed,
which should be seen as the over-with own-made,
over-with own-intent to experience.

Ear, beggars, is an old deed,
which should be seen as the over-with own-made,
over-with own-intent to experience.

Nose, beggars, is an old deed,
which should be seen as the over-with own-made,
over-with own-intent to experience.

Tongue, beggars, is an old deed,
which should be seen as the over-with own-made,
over-with own-intent to experience.

Body, beggars, is an old deed,
which should be seen as the over-with own-made,
over-with own-intent to experience.

Mind, beggars, is an old deed,
which should be seen as the over-with own-made,
over-with own-intent to experience.

This is what is called 'old deeds'.

And what beggars, are new deeds?

Whatsoever there is now of present deeds,
constructed bodily,
through speech or in mind.

This is what is called 'new deeds'.

And what, beggars, is deed-ending?

Well, beggars,
it is whatever bodily-deed
deed of speech
deed of mind touches freedom.

That is what is called
'deed-ending'.

And what, beggars, is the walk to walk to deed-ending?

It is this Aristocratic Eight-dimensional High Way,
that is:

High view
high principles,
high talk,
high works,
high lifestyle,
high self-control,
high mind,
high serenity.

That, beggars, is what is called
'the walk to walk to deed-ending.'

 

§

 

This then is the description
of deeds new-and-old,
the description of deed-ending,
and the description of the walk to walk to deed-ending.

Whatsoever, beggars, a teacher should do
out of empathy with his students,
in friendliness,
out of compassion,
motivated by compassion,
that I have done for you.

Here, beggars, are the roots of trees.

Here are empty places.

Get fired up beggars!

Do not be careless!

Do not find yourself regretting later.

This is my advice to you."