While packing today, I discovered an old Wheel Publication of The Worn Out Skin by Nyaniponika Thera. I love the publication for the directness and sense of samvega that is conveyed by the verses but also for Venerable's gentle expression and sublime insights. I thought I would share with you the Uraga Sutta and perhaps in subesquent nights I might be able to add some of Venerable's observations. I hope it will prove a source of inspiration and reflection.
Kind regards
Ben
The Serpent
He who can curb his wrath
as soon as it arises,
as a timely antidote will check
snake's venom that so quickly spreads
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who entirely cuts off his lust
as entering a pond one uproots lotus plants.
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who entirely cuts off his craving
by drying up its fierce and rapid flow,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who entirely blots out conceit
as the wind demolishes a fragile bamboo bridge,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who does not find core or substance
in any of the realms of being,
like flowers which are vainly sought
in fig trees that bear none,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who bears no grudges in his heart,
transcending all this "thus" and "otherwise"
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who has burned out his evil thoughts,
entirely cut them off within his heart,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
entirely transcending the diffuseness of the world,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who neither goes too far nor lags behind
and knows about the world: "This is all unreal',
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
greedless he knows, "This is all unreal',
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
lust-free he knows: "This is all unreal",
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
hate-free he knows: "This is all unreal",
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who neither goes too far nor lags behind,
delusion-free he knows: "this is all unreal,"
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who has no dormant tendancies whatever,
whose unwholesome roots have been expunged,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
States born of anxiety he harbours none
which may condition his return to earth,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
States born of attachment he harbours none
which cause his bondage to existence
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
He who has the five hindrances discarded,
doubt-free and serene, and free of inner barbs,
- such a monk gives up the here and the beyond,
just as a serpent sheds its worn out skin
