Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Bliss [ Ud 2.10]

[The Buddha:] "Is it true, Bhaddiya that, on going to a forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty dwelling, you repeatedly exclaim, 'What bliss! What bliss!'?
[Ven. Bhaddiya:] "Yes, lord."
"What meaning do you have in mind that you repeatedly exclaim, 'What bliss! What bliss!'?"
"Before, when I was a householder, maintaining the bliss of kingship, I had guards posted within and without the royal apartments, within and without the city, within and without the countryside. But even though I was thus guarded, thus protected, I dwelled in fear — agitated, distrustful, and afraid. But now, on going alone to a forest, to the foot of a tree, or to an empty dwelling, I dwell without fear, unagitated, confident, and unafraid — unconcerned, unruffled, my wants satisfied, with my mind like a wild deer. This is the meaning I have in mind that I repeatedly exclaim, 'What bliss! What bliss!'"
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion exclaimed:In whom there exists no provocation, & for whom becoming & non-becoming are overcome, he is one — beyond fear, blissful, without grief, whom the devas can't see. [Ud 2.10]

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