• So It Was Said 38 Itivuttaka 38
  • The Book of the Twos Dukanipāta
  • Chapter Two Dutiyavagga

Thoughts Vitakkasutta

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard. Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

ā€œTwo thoughts, mendicants, often occur to the Realized One, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha: ā€œTathāgataṁ, bhikkhave, arahantaṁ sammāsambuddhaṁ dve vitakkā bahulaṁ samudācaranti—the thought of sanctuary, and that of seclusion. khemo ca vitakko, paviveko ca. The Realized One loves kindness and delights in it, Abyāpajjhārāmo, bhikkhave, tathāgato abyāpajjharato. so this thought often occurs to him: Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, tathāgataṁ abyāpajjhārāmaṁ abyāpajjharataṁ eseva vitakko bahulaṁ samudācarati: ā€˜Through this behavior, I shall not hurt any creature firm or frail.’ ā€˜imāyāhaṁ iriyāya na kaƱci byābādhemi tasaṁ vā thāvaraṁ vā’ti.

The Realized One loves seclusion and delights in it, Pavivekārāmo, bhikkhave, tathāgato pavivekarato. so this thought often occurs to him: Tamenaṁ, bhikkhave, tathāgataṁ pavivekārāmaṁ pavivekarataṁ eseva vitakko bahulaṁ samudācarati: ā€˜What is unskillful has been given up.’ ā€˜yaṁ akusalaṁ taṁ pahÄ«nan’ti.

So, mendicants, you too should love kindness and delight in it, Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, tumhepi abyāpajjhārāmā viharatha abyāpajjharatā. then this thought will often occur to you: Tesaṁ vo, bhikkhave, tumhākaṁ abyāpajjhārāmānaṁ viharataṁ abyāpajjharatānaṁ eseva vitakko bahulaṁ samudācarissati: ā€˜Through this behavior, I shall not hurt any creature firm or frail.’ ā€˜imāya mayaṁ iriyāya na kaƱci byābādhema tasaṁ vā thāvaraṁ vā’ti.

You too should love seclusion and delight in it, Pavivekārāmā, bhikkhave, viharatha pavivekaratā. then this thought will often occur to you: Tesaṁ vo, bhikkhave, tumhākaṁ pavivekārāmānaṁ viharataṁ pavivekaratānaṁ eseva vitakko bahulaṁ samudācarissati: ā€˜What is unskillful? What is not given up? What should I give up?ā€™ā€ ā€˜kiṁ akusalaṁ, kiṁ appahÄ«naṁ, kiṁ pajahāmÄā€™ā€ti.

The Buddha spoke this matter. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. On this it is said: Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

ā€œTwo thoughts occur to him, ā€œTathāgataṁ buddhamasayhasāhinaṁ, the Realized One, the bearer of the unbearable: Duve vitakkā samudācaranti naṁ; first mentioned was thought of sanctuary, Khemo vitakko paį¹­hamo udÄ«rito, then the second made clear was seclusion. Tato viveko dutiyo pakāsito.

Dispeller of darkness, the great seer has crossed over: Tamonudaṁ pāragataṁ mahesiṁ, the attained, the master, the undefiled. Taṁ pattipattaṁ vasimaṁ anāsavaṁ; In the midst of it all, <j>he is freed in the ending of craving; Visantaraṁ taṇhakkhaye vimuttaṁ, that sage bears his final body. Taṁ ve muniṁ antimadehadhāriṁ; He has disposed of Māra, I declare, <j>and gone beyond old age. MāraƱjahaṁ brÅ«mi jarāya pāraguṁ.

Standing high on a rocky mountain, Sele yathā pabbatamuddhaniį¹­į¹­hito, you can see the people all around. Yathāpi passe janataṁ samantato; In just the same way, the all-seer, so intelligent, TathÅ«pamaṁ dhammamayaṁ sumedho, having ascended the Temple of Truth, Pāsādamāruyha samantacakkhu; rid of sorrow, looks upon the people Sokāvatiṇṇaṁ janatamapetasoko, swamped with sorrow, <j>oppressed by rebirth and old age.ā€ Avekkhati jātijarābhibhÅ«tanā€ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard. Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

Paṭhamaṁ.