Renounced

Linked Discourses 8.1

1. With Vaṅgīsa

Renounced

So I have heard.

At one time Venerable Vaṅgīsa was staying near Āḷavī, at Āḷavī’s premier shrine, together with his mentor, Venerable Nigrodhakappa.

Now at that time Vaṅgīsa was junior, recently gone forth. He had been left behind to look after the dwelling.

Then several women dressed in all their finery went to the monastery at Āḷavī’s premier shrine in order to inspect the dwelling.

When Vaṅgīsa saw them he became dissatisfied, with lust infecting his mind.

Then he thought,

“It’s my loss, my misfortune,

that I’ve become dissatisfied, with lust infecting my mind. How is it possible for someone else to dispel my discontent and give rise to satisfaction?

Why don’t I do it myself?”

Then, on the occasion of dispelling his own discontent and giving rise to satisfaction, he recited these verses:

“Now that I’ve renounced

the lay life for homelessness,

I’m overrun

by the rude thoughts of the Dark One.

Even if a thousand warrior chiefs and great archers,

well trained, with strong bows,

were to completely surround me;

I would never flee.

And even if women come,

many more than that,

they won’t bother me,

for I stand firm in the teaching.

I heard with my own ears

from the Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun,

about the path going to extinguishment;

that’s what delights my mind.

Wicked One, if you come near me

as I meditate like this,

I’ll make sure that you, Death,

won’t even see the path I take.”