Upatthana Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. I heard thus. At one time a certain bhikkhu lived in a stretch of forest in the country of Kosala.

2. The bhikkhu, at that time, in his seclusion during the day time fell asleep.

3. A deity living in that stretch of forest out of compassion, wishing to arouse remorse, approached him.

4. Having approached, said these stanzas:


 * "Wake up bhikkhu, what is the use of sleeping?
 * Why should you sleep while ailing with the shot arrow?
 * You became homeless out of faith, develop that faith
 * Do not be overcome with sleepiness."

5. "Sensuality is impermanent, it fades, the foolish are infatuated in it
 * It's to be freed from bonds and clinging, the gone forth make endeavor.
 * To tame interest and greed, to see the end of ignorance,
 * And to purify that knowledge, the gone forth make endeavor.
 * Breaking up ignorance with science and finishing up desires
 * To be without grief and worries, the gone forth make endeavor.
 * With aroused effort to dispel, and constantly zealous to gain it,
 * Aiming extinction as the goal the gone forth make endeavor."