Sanu Sutta

Translation by Bhikkhuni Uppalavanna

1. At one time the Blessed One was living in the monastery offered by Anàthapiõóika in Jeta's grove in Sàvatthi.

2. At that time a certain female lay disciple's son by the name Sànu was seized by a non-human.

3. Then that lay disciple lamenting, said these stanzas that moment:


 * "The worthy ones warned me! I heard it from the worthy ones.
 * Today I myself see it, the non-humans exhaust Sànu.
 * `On the fourteenth, fifteenth and eighth days of the waxing moon,
 * If you observe the eight precepts of the holy life,
 * The non-humans do not exhaust you.'

This was said by the worthy ones.


 * "Sanu, did you do any wrong knowing. Do no evil openly or secretly
 * If you do or will do evil, you would not be released from unpleasantness
 * And your beauty too will vanish."

These are the words of the non-humans.

(Sànu:)

4. "Mother, why do you cry is it for my death, or not seeing me alive?
 * Look! Mother I am alive, why do you cry on account of me?"

(Upàsikà:)

5. "I cry as though my son was dead, or else I do not see him alive.
 * I have won my desire, and you have come back here.
 * I may be crying for that, you are alive after death.
 * Dear one, you are pulled out of the ashes, do you want to jump into it?"


 * "Dear one, you are taken out of hell, do you want to get in there?
 * Even with harassment, run fast to the appearance of good
 * Do not desire to be burnt again."