Kamada Sutta

Categories: Sagatha Vagga | Andrew Olendzki

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

• Translated from the Pali by Andrew Olendzki

[Kamada:]

So hard it is to do, Lord, It's so very hard to do!

[Buddha:]

But still they do what's hard to do, Who steady themselves with virtue. For one pursuing homelessness, Content arrives, and with it joy.

[Kamada:]

So hard it is to get, Lord, This content of which you speak!

[Buddha:]

But still they get what's hard to get, Who delight in a tranquil mind. The mind of those, both day and night, Delights in its development.

[Kamada:]

So hard it is to tame, Lord, This mind of which you speak!

[Buddha:]

But still they tame what's hard to tame, Who delight in senses at peace. Cutting through mortality's net, The nobles, Kamada, proceed.

[Kamada:]

So hard it is to go, Lord, On this path that gets so rough!

[Buddha:]

Still nobles, Kamada, proceed On paths both rough and hard to take. Those who are less than noble fall On their heads when the path gets rough. But for nobles the path is smooth — For nobles smooth out what is rough!