Verses of the Senior Monks 15.1

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1. Verses of the Senior Monks 15.1
2. The Book of the Sixteens
3. Chapter One
4. Koṇḍañña Who Understood
5. “My confidence grew
6. as I heard the teaching, so full of flavor.
7. Dispassion is what was taught,
8. without any grasping at all.”
9. “There are so many pretty things
10. in this vast territory.
11. They disturb one’s thoughts, it seems to me,
12. attractive, provoking lust.
13. Just as a rain cloud would settle
14. the dust blown up by the wind,
15. so thoughts settle down
16. when seen with wisdom.
17. All conditions are impermanent—
18. when this is seen with wisdom
19. one grows disillusioned with suffering:
20. this is the path to purity.
21. All conditions are suffering—
22. when this is seen with wisdom
23. one grows disillusioned with suffering:
24. this is the path to purity.
25. All things are not-self—
26. when this is seen with wisdom
27. one grows disillusioned with suffering:
28. this is the path to purity.”
29. “The senior monk who was awakened
    right after the Buddha,
30. Koṇḍañña, is keenly energetic.
31. He has given up birth and death,
32. and has completed the spiritual journey.”
33. “There are floods, snares, and strong posts,
34. and a mountain hard to crack;
35. snapping the posts and snares,
36. breaking the mountain so hard to break,
37. crossing over to the far shore,
38. a meditator is freed from Māra’s bonds.
39. When a mendicant is haughty and fickle,
40. relying on bad friends,
41. they sink down in the great flood,
42. overcome by a wave.
43. But one not restless or fickle,
44. alert, with senses restrained,
45. intelligent, with good friends,
46. makes an end of suffering.
47. With knobbly knees,
48. thin and veiny,
49. eating and drinking in moderation—
50. this person’s spirit is undaunted.
51. Pestered by flies and mosquitoes
52. in the wilds, the formidable forest,
53. one should mindfully endure,
54. like an elephant at the head of the battle.
55. I don’t long for death;
56. I don’t long for life;
57. I await my time,
58. like a worker waiting for their wages.
59. I don’t long for death;
60. I don’t long for life;
61. I await my time,
62. aware and mindful.
63. I’ve served the teacher
64. and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.
65. The heavy burden is laid down,
66. the conduit to rebirth is eradicated.
67. I’ve attained the goal
68. for the sake of which I went forth
69. from the lay life to homelessness—
70. what use do I have for protégés?”