15. Reflection (Smriti) (UV-KG15)

It is the teaching of the Buddha, that whoever (commences by) reflecting on the operation of breathing, and who goes on through the different stages (of meditation), his mind well composed, will reach perfection, as the sun and moon, when free from clouds, illuminate the whole world.

He who, standing, sitting, and sleeping, keeps both body and mind under control, such a thoughtful and well-controlled Bhixu will find the above-mentioned and other blessings; and if he has obtained the above-mentioned and the other blessings, he will not go to where is the lord of death.

He who continually reflects on what appertains to the body, and has well under control the six senses (āyatanas), and who is always well composed, knows the extinction of sorrow.

He who continually reflects on what appertains to the body in all its different shapes, on being without self, without attachment for the “mine,” will not care for self; he will have no attachment for the “mine:” in this manner will the Bhixu swiftly cross over from the regions of desire.

He who is thoughtful, wise, well composed, happy, and pure, and who attends carefully at all times to this law, will, I declare, cross over from birth and old age.

Thus learning to be always on his guard, the wise, thoughtful, and diligent Bhixu, after having cast off all bonds, finds by this means the destruction of sorrow (nirvāṇa).

They who are awake can watch better than they who sleep, I tell you; it is better to watch than to sleep, for he who watches has no fear.

He who is watchful and diligent is safe day and night, and he will find the end of pain (kleśā) in the longed-for cessation of death (nirvāṇa).

They who day and night are reflecting on the Buddha, and who go to the Buddha for a refuge, these men have the profits of mankind.

They who day and night are reflecting on the law (dharma), and who go to the law for a refuge, these men have the profits of mankind.

They who day and night are reflecting on the church (sangha)), and who go to the church for a refuge, these men have the profits of mankind.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night reflecting on the Buddha.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night reflecting on the law.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night reflecting on the church.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night reflecting on the laws of morality (śīla).

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night reflecting on renunciation.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night reflecting on the way.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night reflecting on what appertains to the body.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night keeping in mind the four kinds of meditation (samādhi).

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in the cessation of death.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in kindness of heart.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in meditation.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in the unconditioned.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in the uncharacteristic.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in solitude.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in what leads to salvation.

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night delighting in nothing (worldly?).

The disciple of Gautama is always well awake, day and night rejoicing in nirvāṇa.

Chapter on Reflection, the Fifteenth.

Translated by Woodville Rockhill.

1975, Udânavarga: a collection of verses from the Buddhist canon compiled by Dharmatrâta, Oriental Press, Amsterdam (reprint of original from 1883).

Translated (into Tibetan) by the Indian Pandit Vidyaprabhakara and the Lotsāva Bande-rin-tchen-mtchog; revised and arranged by the corrector, the Lotsāva Bande-dpal-brtsegs.

Original taken from University of Oslo, faculty of humanities.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Yasoj and Ayya Vimala.