Ideal Solitude An Exposition of the Bhaddekaratta Sutta – Bhikkhu Ñåˆånanda
The Bhaddekaratta Sutta of the Majjhima Nikåya (No. 131) consists of a “summary” (uddesa) in four verses and an “exposition” (vibhaga) dealing with some doctrinal points of considerable psychological and ethical import….
Let one not trace back the past Or yearn for the future-yet-to-come. That which is past is left behind Unattained is the “yet-to-come.” But that which is present he discerns — With insight as and when it comes. The Immovable — the-non-irritable. In that state should the wise one grow. Today itself should one bestir
Tomorrow death may come — who knows?
For no bargain can we strike. With Death who has his mighty hosts. But one who dwells thus ardently By day, by night, untiringly Him the Tranquil Sage has called The Ideal Lover of Solitude.
“And how, monks, does one trace back the past? He thinks: ‘I was of such form in the past’ and brings delight to bear on it. He thinks: ‘I was of such feeling in the past’ and brings delight to bear on it. He thinks: ‘I was of such perception in the past’ and brings delight to bear on it. He thinks: ‘I was of such formations in the past’ and brings delight to bear on them. He thinks: ‘I was of such consciousness in the past’ and brings delight to bear on it. That is how, monks, one traces back the past……………
Transcending all polarities characteristic of the phenomenal consciousness, the emancipated one thus attains to the highest possible state of mental equilibrium which is “immovable and non-irritable” and in which he meditates, as it were, “thought-less.”
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