Damali Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. I heard thus. The Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anàthapiõóika, in Jeta's grove, in Sàvatthi. 2 When the night was waning, Damali, the son of the gods with a resplendent light illuminated the whole of Jeta's grove approached the Blessed One, worshipped, stood on a side and said:


 * "The Brahmin should make endeavor untiringly,
 * To dispel sensuality and should not think or wish for it."

The Blessed One said:


 * "Damali, there is no work for the Brahmin, he has done his duties.
 * Until he gets a footing, man exerts with all his limbs.
 * Gaining a footing, he stands on hard ground.
 * Having crossed he does not exert
 * Damali this is the comparison for the Brahmin.
 * The concentrating, clever one has destroyed desires,
 * Have come to the end of birth and death
 * Does not exert, he has crossed over."