The Related Suttas Collection 9.2

1. In the Woods

Getting Up

At one time one of the bhikkhus was staying in the land of the Kosalans in a certain forest grove.

Now at that time that bhikkhu fell asleep during the day’s meditation. The deity haunting that forest had compassion for that bhikkhu, and wanted what’s best for them. So they approached that bhikkhu wanting to stir them up, and addressed them in verse:

“Get up, bhikkhu! Why lie down? What’s the point in sleeping? How can the afflicted slumber when injured by an arrow strike?

You should amplify the faith that led you to go forth from the home life to homelessness. Don’t fall under the sway of slumber.”

“Sensual pleasures are impermanent and unstable, but idiots still fall for them. Among those who are bound, they’re free and unattached: why bother a renunciate?

By removing desire and greed, by going beyond ignorance, that knowledge has been perfectly cleansed: why bother a renunciate?

By breaking ignorance with knowledge, by the ending of defilements, they’re sorrowless, unstressed: why bother a renunciate?

Energetic, resolute, always staunchly vigorous, aspiring to Nibbana: why bother a renunciate?”