The Samyutta Nikaya
The Grouped Discourses
Samyutta Nikaya IV.8
Nandana Sutta
Delight
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Translator's note: In this discourse, Mara and
Buddha are speaking different languages. By "acquisitions" Mara
means one's family and physical possessions. The Buddha uses the same word
to mean a sense of possession for anything -- physical or mental -- at
all.
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was
staying near Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Then Mara
the Evil One went to the Blessed One and recited this verse in his
presence:
Those with children
delight
because of their children.
Those with cattle
delight
because of their cows.
A person's delight
comes from acquisitions,
since a person with no acquisitions
doesn't delight.
[The Buddha:]
Those with children
grieve
because of their children.
Those with cattle
grieve
because of their cows.
A person's grief
comes from acquisitions,
since a person with no acquisitions
doesn't grieve.
Then Mara the Evil One -- sad & dejected at
realizing, "The Blessed One knows me; the One Well-Gone knows
me" -- vanished right there.
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