The Venerable

Books: Sacred Books Of The East

There is no suffering for him who has finished his journey, and

abandoned grief, who has freed himself on all sides, and thrown off all

fetters.



They exert themselves with their thoughts well-collected, they do not

tarry in their abode; like swans who have left their lake, they leave

their house and home.



Men who have no riches, who live on recognized food, who have perceived

vo d and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), their path is difficult to

understand, like that of birds in the air.



He whose appetites are stilled, who is not absorbed in enjoyment, who

has perceived void and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), his path is

difficult to understand, like that of birds in the air.



The gods even envy him whose senses, like horses well broken in by the

driver, have been subdued, who is free from pride, and free from

appetites; such a one who does his duty is tolerant like the earth, or

like a threshold; he is like a lake without mud; no new births are in

store for him.



His thought is quiet, quiet are his word and deed, when he has obtained

freedom by true knowledge, when he has thus become a quiet man.



The man who is free from credulity, but knows the uncreated, who has cut

all ties, removed all temptations, renounced all desires, he is the

greatest of men.



In a hamlet or in a forest, on sea or on dry land, wherever venerable

persons (Arahanta) dwell, that place is delightful.



Forests are delightful; where the world finds no delight, there the

passionless will find delight, for they look not for pleasures.