| samaṇassa ahū cintā pupphitamhi mahāvane ekaggassa nisinnassa pavivittassa jhāyino: [Thag 920] |
This thought occurred to the wanderer Who was seated, single minded, Among the flowers of the forest, Meditating in seclusion: |
| aññathā lokanāthamhi tiṭṭhante purisuttame iriyaṃ āsi bhikkūhnaṃ aññathā dāni dissate. [Thag 921] |
Compared to when that best of men, The guide of all the world, remained, The behavior of the bhikkhus Appears to be so different now! |
| araññe rukkhamūlesu kandarāsu guhāsu ca vivekam anubrūhantā vihaṃsu tapparāyanā, [Thag 925] |
Among the roots of forest trees, And in caverns and in grottoes, Being devoted to seclusion… They used to dwell intent on that. |
| pāpakānañ ca dhammānaṃ kilesānañ ca yo utu upaṭṭhitāvivekāya ye ca saddhammasesakā. [Thag 930] |
In this era where there are those Corrupt and of wicked intent, Those who still uphold seclusion Keep what’s left of the true teaching. |
These lines were composed by a monk who received his instruction directly from the Buddha, and thus the “corruption” he is lamenting would be that of the very first generation of practitioners. Already, it seems, the draw away from solitary practice in the wilderness and toward the settled monastic centers had set in. How easily the mind is enticed by the external world.
The verses suggest to us today that the true teaching (saddhamma) is still best served by spending time in solitary meditation, among the roots of forest trees. It is a teaching of inner exploration, of silent observation, and of secluded, single minded, habitation. This is the direction in which the Buddha, that best of men, continues to guide the world.
