28. Living in Discomfort (ITI28)

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, possessed of two things, a bhikkhu lives in discomfort here and now, bringing upon himself vexation, trouble, and distress, and when the body perishes after death a bad bourn is to be expected. What are the two? Being unguarded regarding the doors of the senses and being immoderate in eating. These are the two things possessed of which a bhikkhu lives in discomfort…”

The eye, ear, nose, tongue,
Body and likewise the mind—
A bhikkhu who leaves these doors
Unguarded here,

Immoderate in eating,
Of uncontrolled senses,
Experiences suffering
Both bodily and mental.

Being tormented by body,
And tormented by mind,
Such a one lives in discomfort
Both by day and by night.

Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland.

Digital Transcription Source: BPS Transcription Project

Extracted from The Udāna & the Itivuttaka, translated and introduced by John D. Ireland. Published in 1997.

The complete book, including introduction and notes by the translator, is available from the Buddhist Publication Society.

ISBN 955–24-0164-X

Copyright © 1997 by John D. Ireland.

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