Udaya’s Questions

To the one in jhāna—

seated, dustless, passionless, his task done, effluent-free,

gone to the beyond of all phenomena—

I’ve come with a desire for a question.

Tell me the gnosis of emancipation, the breaking open of ignorance.

The Buddha:

The abandoning both of sensual desires, & of unhappiness,

the dispelling of sloth, the warding off of anxieties,

equanimity-&-mindfulness purified, with inspection of mental qualities swift in the forefront:

That I call the gnosis of emancipation, the breaking open of ignorance.

Udaya:

With what is the world fettered?

With what is it examined?

Through the abandoning of what is there said to be unbinding?

The Buddha:

With delight the world’s fettered.

With directed thought it’s examined.

Through the abandoning of craving is there said to be unbinding.

Udaya:

Living mindful in what way does one bring consciousness to a halt?

We’ve come to ask the Blessed One.

Let us hear your words.

The Buddha:

Not relishing feeling, inside or out:

One living mindful in this way brings consciousness to a halt.

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