Psalms of the Brethren CCXXV: Lakuntaka-Bhaddiya

Beyond the gardens of Ambataka,
In woodland wild, craving and craving’s root
Withdrawn, and rapt in deepest reverie,
There happy sits fortunate Bhaddiya.

And some are charmed by cymbals, lutes and drums,
And I in leafy shadow of my trees
Do dwell entranced by the Buddha’s Rule.

Let but the Buddha grant one boon to me,
And if that boon were mine, I’d choose for all
Perpetual study in control of self.

They who decry me for my shape, and they
Who listen spell-bound to my voice, such folk
In toils of lust and impulse know me not.

The fool hemmed in on every side knows not
The inner life, nor sees the things without,
And by a voice forsooth is led away.

And if the inner life he knoweth not,
Yet can discern the things that are without,
Watching alone the outer fruits that come,
He also by a voice is led away.

He, who both understands the inner life,
And doth discern the things that are without,
Clear-visioned, by no voice is led away.