Snp, part 3 · Pali Canon (Tipiṭaka) – English & Pāli · Verses Across
Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Minor Collection (Khuddaka)
Snp, part 3
The Horned Rhino · Khaggavisāṇasutta
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When you’ve laid down violence toward all creatures, not harming even a single one, don’t wish for a child, let alone a companion: live alone like a horned rhino.
“Sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṁ, Aviheṭhayaṁ aññatarampi tesaṁ; Na puttamiccheyya kuto sahāyaṁ, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
Those with close relationships have affection, following which this pain arises. Seeing this danger born of affection, live alone like a horned rhino.
When feelings for friends and loved ones are tied up in selfish love, you miss out on the goal. Seeing this peril in intimacy, live alone like a horned rhino.
When among friends, whether staying in place or going on a journey, you’re always on call. Looking for the uncoveted freedom, live alone like a horned rhino.
Among friends you have fun and games, and for children you are full of fondness. Though loathe to depart from those you hold dear, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Khiḍḍā ratī hoti sahāyamajjhe, Puttesu ca vipulaṁ hoti pemaṁ; Piyavippayogaṁ vijigucchamāno, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
At ease in any quarter, unresisting, content with whatever comes your way; prevailing over adversities, dauntless, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Cātuddiso appaṭigho ca hoti, Santussamāno itarītarena; Parissayānaṁ sahitā achambhī, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
Even some renunciates are hard to please, as are some layfolk dwelling at home. Don’t worry about others’ children, live alone like a horned rhino.
Having shed the marks of the home life, like the fallen leaves of the Shady Orchid Tree; having cut the bonds of the home life, a hero would live alone like a horned rhino.
If you find no alert companion, an attentive friend to live happily together, then, like a king who flees his conquered realm, wander alone like a tusker in the wilds.
“No ce labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ, Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāridhīraṁ; Rājāva raṭṭhaṁ vijitaṁ pahāya, Eko care mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo”.
Clearly we praise the blessing of a friend, it’s good to be with friends your equal or better. But failing to find them, eating blamelessly, live alone like a horned rhino.
Though made of shining gold, well-finished by a smith, when two bracelets share the same arm they clash up against each other. Seeing this, live alone like a horned rhino.
Sensual pleasures are diverse, sweet, delightful; appearing in disguise they disturb the mind. Seeing danger in sensual stimulations, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Kāmā hi citrā madhurā manoramā, Virūparūpena mathenti cittaṁ; Ādīnavaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
This is a calamity, a boil, a disaster, an illness, a dart, and a danger for me. Seeing this peril in sensuality, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Ītī ca gaṇḍo ca upaddavo ca, Rogo ca sallañca bhayañca metaṁ; Etaṁ bhayaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
Heat and cold, hunger and thirst, wind and sun, flies and reptiles: having put up with all these things, live alone like a horned rhino.
It’s impossible for one who delights in company to experience even temporary freedom. Heeding the speech of the Kinsman of the Sun, live alone like a horned rhino.
Thinking, “I have left twisted views behind, reached the sure way, and gained the path; I’ve given rise to knowledge, and need no one to guide me”, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Diṭṭhīvisūkāni upātivatto, Patto niyāmaṁ paṭiladdhamaggo; Uppannañāṇomhi anaññaneyyo, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
No greed, no guile, no thirst, no slur, dross and delusion is smelted off; free of hoping for anything in the world, live alone like a horned rhino.
Avoid a wicked companion, blind to the good, habitually immoral. Don’t befriend the heedless and the hankering, but live alone like a horned rhino.
“Pāpaṁ sahāyaṁ parivajjayetha, Anatthadassiṁ visame niviṭṭhaṁ; Sayaṁ na seve pasutaṁ pamattaṁ, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
Spend time with the learned who have memorized the teachings, an eloquent and uplifting friend. When you understand the meanings and have dispelled doubt, live alone like a horned rhino.
When you realize that worldly fun and games and pleasure are inadequate, unconcerned with them, as one unadorned, a speaker of truth, live alone like a horned rhino.
Children, partner, father, mother, wealth and grain and relatives: having given up sensual pleasures to this extent, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Puttañca dāraṁ pitarañca mātaraṁ, Dhanāni dhaññāni ca bandhavāni; Hitvāna kāmāni yathodhikāni, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
“This is a chain. Here there’s hardly any happiness, little gratification, and it’s full of drawbacks. It’s a hook.” Knowing this, a thoughtful person would live alone like a horned rhino.
Having burst apart the fetters, like a fish that tears the net and swims free, or a fire not returning to ground it has burned, live alone like a horned rhino.
Eyes downcast, not footloose, senses guarded, mind protected, not festering or burning with desire, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Okkhittacakkhu na ca pādalolo, Guttindriyo rakkhitamānasāno; Anavassuto apariḍayhamāno, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
Having shed the marks of the home life, like the fallen leaves of the Orchid Tree, and gone forth in the ocher robe, live alone like a horned rhino.
“Ohārayitvā gihibyañjanāni, Sañchannapatto yathā pārichatto; Kāsāyavattho abhinikkhamitvā, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.
Not wanton, nor rousing greed for tastes, providing for no other, wandering indiscriminately for alms, not attached to this family or that, live alone like a horned rhino.
When you’ve given up five mental obstacles, and cast aside all corruptions, and cut off affection and hate, being independent, live alone like a horned rhino.
One whose aim is the ending of craving— diligent, clever, learned, mindful, resolute— who has appraised the teaching and is assured, destined for awakening, should live alone like a horned rhino.
Like the fierce-fanged lion, king of beasts, who wanders as conqueror and victor, you should frequent remote lodgings, and live alone like a horned rhino.
They befriend you and serve you for their own sake; these days it’s hard to find friends lacking ulterior motive. Impure folk cleverly profit themselves— live alone like a horned rhino.
“Bhajanti sevanti ca kāraṇatthā, Nikkāraṇā dullabhā ajja mittā; Attaṭṭhapaññā asucī manussā, Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”. Khaggavisāṇasuttaṁ tatiyaṁ.
