Tayana Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. Tayano, the son of gods, earlier a ford maker, illuminated the whole of Jeta's grove with an effulgent light, approached the Blessed One, worshipped, stood on a side and said this stanza in the presence of the Blessed One:

2. "Brahmin, cut the stream and dispel sensuality.
 * The sage cannot attain one point of mind without dispelling sensuality.
 * If you do something do it with utmost care.
 * If a lax holy life is lived, much demerit is accumulated.
 * Evil not done is better, rather than to remorse later.
 * Done merit, is good, there would not be remorse afterwards.
 * Wrong grasp of a blade of kusa grass, cuts the hand
 * Likewise the wrongly grasped recluseship pulls one to hell.
 * Whatever careless action and any impure observance,
 * Destroys the holy life and it would not be of fruit."

3. Tayana, the son of gods said this, worshipped, circumambulated the Blessed One and vanished from there.

4. The Blessed One, at the end of that night addressed the bhikkhus:

5. "Bhikkhus, Tayano, the son of gods, earlier a ford maker, illuminated the whole of Jeta's grove with an effulgent light, approached me worshipped, stood on a side and said this stanza in my presence:

6. "Brahmin, cut the stream and dispel sensuality.
 * The sage cannot attain one point of mind without dispelling sensuality.
 * If you do something do it with utmost care.
 * Leading a lax holy life, much demerit is accumulated.
 * Evil not done is better, rather than to remorse later.
 * Done merit, is good, there would not be remorse afterwards.
 * Wrong grasp of a blade of kusa grass cuts the hand
 * Likewise the wrongly grasped recluseship pulls one to hell.
 * Whatever careless action and any impure observance,
 * Destroys the holy life and it would not be of fruit."

Tayana, the son of gods said this, worshipped, circumambulated me and vanished from there. "Bhikkhus, learn the stanzas of Tayana, study them they are the fundamentals of the holy life, they are for your welfare."