Saṃyutta Nikāya
II. Nidāna Vagga
21. Bhikkhu Saṃyutta
The Book of the Kindred Sayings
II. The Book Called the Nidāna-Vagga
Containing Kindred sayings on Cause
and Other Subjects
21. Kindred Sayings about Brethren
Sutta 10
Thera-Nāmo or Thera-Namaka Suttaṃ
Senior by Name
Translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids
Assisted by F. L. Woodward
Originally Published by
The Pali Text Society
Public Domain
[1][than][bodh][olds] Thus have I heard:
The Exalted One was once staying at Rājagaha
in the Bamboo Grove at the Squirrels' Feeding-ground.
[2][than] Now at that time a certain brother
by name Senior[1]
was living alone
and was commending such a life.
He entered the village alone for alms,
he returned alone,
alone he sat in private [meditation]
and alone he practised his terrace-walk.
[3-4][than] Then a number of brethren went into the presence of the Exalted One
[4][than] and told him of this brother's mode of life.
[5][than] And the Exalted One spoke to a certain brother saying: —
"Come thou, brother,
tell my word to Brother Senior: —
'The Master, friend Senior, calls for thee.'"
"So be it, lord," responded the brother, and called the venerable Senior.
[6][than] "So be it, friend," responded the venerable Senior,
and he came into the presence of the Exalted One,
[7][than] saluted him,
and sat down beside him.
[8][than] To him so seated
the Exalted One said: —
"Is it true what they say, Senior,
that you are living quite alone
and commending such a life?"
"That is so, lord."
[9][than] "What sort of life is this
that you lead and commend?"
[10][than] "It is this, lord,
that I enter the village alone for alms,
return alone,
sit alone [to meditate],
and perform the terrace-walk alone."
[11][than] "That is livig alone, Senior;
I do not say it is not so.
But further,
there is a way of perfecting the solitary life in detail
which I will tell you.
Listen well
and give your mind thoroughly."
"Even so, lord."
[12][than] "How, Senior,
is the solitary life perfected in detai?
It is when that which is past
is put away;
when that which is future
is given up,
and when, with regard to present self-states
that we have got,
will and passion have been thoroughly mastered.
It is thus, Senior,
that the solitary life is perfected in detail."
[13][than] The Exalted One spake this.
The Wellfarer so saying, the Master spake this yet further: —
Who overcometh all, who understandeth all,
Whoso is very wise, in all things undefiled,
Who all abandoning, in death of craving free,[2]
That is the man of whom I'd say, 'He lives alone.'
[1] Thera
[2] Craving is sometimes called one's 'second' (alter ego or mate). Cf. Pss. of the Brethren, verse 54, 1091; Majjhima i, 171.
