1.3. The Rhino Horn: A Teaching for the Hermit-minded

“Sabbesu bhūtesu nidhāya daṇḍaṁ,

Aviheṭhayaṁ aññatarampi tesaṁ;

Na puttamiccheyya kuto sahāyaṁ,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Saṁsaggajātassa bhavanti snehā,

Snehanvayaṁ dukkhamidaṁ pahoti;

Ādīnavaṁ snehajaṁ pekkhamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Mitte suhajje anukampamāno,

Hāpeti atthaṁ paṭibaddhacitto;

Etaṁ bhayaṁ santhave pekkhamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Vaṁso visālova yathā visatto,

Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā;

Vaṁsakkaḷīrova asajjamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Migo araññamhi yathā abaddho,

Yenicchakaṁ gacchati gocarāya;

Viññū naro seritaṁ pekkhamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Āmantanā hoti sahāyamajjhe,

Vāse ṭhāne gamane cārikāya;

Anabhijjhitaṁ seritaṁ pekkhamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Khiḍḍā ratī hoti sahāyamajjhe,

Puttesu ca vipulaṁ hoti pemaṁ;

Piyavippayogaṁ vijigucchamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Cātuddiso appaṭigho ca hoti,

Santussamāno itarītarena;

Parissayānaṁ sahitā achambhī,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Dussaṅgahā pabbajitāpi eke,

Atho gahaṭṭhā gharamāvasantā;

Appossukko paraputtesu hutvā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Oropayitvā gihibyañjanāni,

Sañchinnapatto yathā koviḷāro;

Chetvāna vīro gihibandhanāni,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Sace labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ,

Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāridhīraṁ;

Abhibhuyya sabbāni parissayāni,

Careyya tenattamano satīmā”.

“No ce labhetha nipakaṁ sahāyaṁ,

Saddhiṁ caraṁ sādhuvihāridhīraṁ;

Rājāva raṭṭhaṁ vijitaṁ pahāya,

Eko care mātaṅgaraññeva nāgo”.

“Addhā pasaṁsāma sahāyasampadaṁ,

Seṭṭhā samā sevitabbā sahāyā;

Ete aladdhā anavajjabhojī,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Disvā suvaṇṇassa pabhassarāni,

Kammāraputtena suniṭṭhitāni;

Saṅghaṭṭamānāni duve bhujasmiṁ,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Evaṁ dutīyena sahā mamassa,

Vācābhilāpo abhisajjanā vā;

Etaṁ bhayaṁ āyatiṁ pekkhamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Kāmā hi citrā madhurā manoramā,

Virūparūpena mathenti cittaṁ;

Ādīnavaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Ītī ca gaṇḍo ca upaddavo ca,

Rogo ca sallañca bhayañca metaṁ;

Etaṁ bhayaṁ kāmaguṇesu disvā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Sītañca uṇhañca khudaṁ pipāsaṁ,

Vātātape ḍaṁsasarīsape ca;

Sabbānipetāni abhisambhavitvā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Nāgova yūthāni vivajjayitvā,

Sañjātakhandho padumī uḷāro;

Yathābhirantaṁ viharaṁ araññe,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Aṭṭhānataṁ saṅgaṇikāratassa,

Yaṁ phassaye sāmayikaṁ vimuttiṁ;

Ādiccabandhussa vaco nisamma,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Diṭṭhīvisūkāni upātivatto,

Patto niyāmaṁ paṭiladdhamaggo;

Uppannañāṇomhi anaññaneyyo,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Nillolupo nikkuho nippipāso,

Nimmakkho niddhantakasāvamoho;

Nirāsayo sabbaloke bhavitvā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Pāpaṁ sahāyaṁ parivajjayetha,

Anatthadassiṁ visame niviṭṭhaṁ;

Sayaṁ na seve pasutaṁ pamattaṁ,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Bahussutaṁ dhammadharaṁ bhajetha,

Mittaṁ uḷāraṁ paṭibhānavantaṁ;

Aññāya atthāni vineyya kaṅkhaṁ,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Khiḍḍaṁ ratiṁ kāmasukhañca loke,

Analaṅkaritvā anapekkhamāno;

Vibhūsanaṭṭhānā virato saccavādī,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Puttañca dāraṁ pitarañca mātaraṁ,

Dhanāni dhaññāni ca bandhavāni;

Hitvāna kāmāni yathodhikāni,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Saṅgo eso parittamettha sokhyaṁ,

Appassādo dukkhamettha bhiyyo;

Gaḷo eso iti ñatvā matīmā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Sandālayitvāna saṁyojanāni,

Jālaṁva bhetvā salilambucārī;

Aggīva daḍḍhaṁ anivattamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Okkhittacakkhu na ca pādalolo,

Guttindriyo rakkhitamānasāno;

Anavassuto apariḍayhamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Ohārayitvā gihibyañjanāni,

Sañchannapatto yathā pārichatto;

Kāsāyavattho abhinikkhamitvā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Rasesu gedhaṁ akaraṁ alolo,

Anaññaposī sapadānacārī;

Kule kule appaṭibaddhacitto,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Pahāya pañcāvaraṇāni cetaso,

Upakkilese byapanujja sabbe;

Anissito chetva sinehadosaṁ,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Vipiṭṭhikatvāna sukhaṁ dukhañca,

Pubbeva ca somanassadomanassaṁ;

Laddhānupekkhaṁ samathaṁ visuddhaṁ,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Āraddhaviriyo paramatthapattiyā,

Alīnacitto akusītavutti;

Daḷhanikkamo thāmabalūpapanno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Paṭisallānaṁ jhānamariñcamāno,

Dhammesu niccaṁ anudhammacārī;

Ādīnavaṁ sammasitā bhavesu,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Taṇhakkhayaṁ patthayamappamatto,

Aneḷamūgo sutavā satīmā;

Saṅkhātadhammo niyato padhānavā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Sīhova saddesu asantasanto,

Vātova jālamhi asajjamāno;

Padumaṁva toyena alippamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Sīho yathā dāṭhabalī pasayha,

Rājā migānaṁ abhibhuyya cārī;

Sevetha pantāni senāsanāni,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Mettaṁ upekkhaṁ karuṇaṁ vimuttiṁ,

Āsevamāno muditañca kāle;

Sabbena lokena avirujjhamāno,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Rāgañca dosañca pahāya mohaṁ,

Sandālayitvāna saṁyojanāni;

Asantasaṁ jīvitasaṅkhayamhi,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

“Bhajanti sevanti ca kāraṇatthā,

Nikkāraṇā dullabhā ajja mittā;

Attaṭṭhapaññā asucī manussā,

Eko care khaggavisāṇakappo”.

Khaggavisāṇasuttaṁ tatiyaṁ.

SC 1SC Verse 35Put by the rod for all that lives,
tormenting not a single one;
long not for child, how then for friend?
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 2SC Verse 36Attraction comes from meetings with,
and from attraction dukkha’s born;
see danger of attraction then,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 3SC Verse 37One full of ruth for friends well-loved
with mind attached, neglects the good,
seeing this danger in association,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 4SC Verse 38Tangled as the crowding bamboo boughs
is fond regard for partner, child:
as the tall tops are tangle-free,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 5SC Verse 39The deer untethered roams the woods
going where’er it wants to graze:
seeing its liberty, wise one,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 6SC Verse 40’Mong friends one’s asked for this or that,
when resting, standing, going on tour,
seeing the liberty few desire,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 7SC Verse 41’Mong friends there’s sexy playfulness,
and love for children’s very great,
while loath to part from those beloved,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 8SC Verse 42Resentment none to quarters four,
and well-content with this and that,
enduring dangers undismayed,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 9SC Verse 43Some home-forsakers ill consort,
as householders who live at home;
be unconcerned with others’ kids!
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 10SC Verse 44Let fall the marks of householder,
as Koviḷāra’s parted leaves;
a hero, having house-ties cut,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 11SC Verse 45For practice if one finds a friend—
prudent, well-behaved, and wise,
mindful, joyful, live as one
all troubles overcoming.

SC 12SC Verse 46But if you do not find a friend—
prudent, well-behaved, and wise,
then like a king who leaves his conquered lands,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 13SC Verse 47Surely we praise accomplished friends—
choose friends who’re equal, or the best;
not finding these, live blamelessly,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 14SC Verse 48See golden bangles on an arm,
well-burnished by the goldsmith’s art,
clash together, the two of them,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 15SC Verse 49When there’s for me “a second one”
with intimate talk and curses both,
seeing this fear in future time,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 16SC Verse 50Sense-things so sweet, so varied,
in diverse forms disturb the mind;
seeing the bane of sense desires
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 17SC Verse 51They are a plague, a blain, distress,
disease, a dart and danger too:
seeing this fear in sense-desires
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 18SC Verse 52The heat and cold, and hunger, thirst,
wind, sun, mosquitoes’ bites and snakes’;
enduring one and all of these,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn..

SC 19SC Verse 53As elephant bull of noble mien,
full-grown, the flock forsakes and lives
in forests as it pleases him,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 20SC Verse 54“Who loves to live in company
e’en timely freedom cannot find”;
so Kinsman of the Sun declared—
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 21SC Verse 55View-contortions gone beyond,
right method won, the path attained,
“I Know! No other is my guide!”
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 22SC Verse 56No greed, no guile, no thirst, no slur,
and blown away by delusion’s fault;
wantless in all the world’s become,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 23SC Verse 57Shun the evil friend who sees
no goal, convinced in crooked ways,
serve not at will the wanton one,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 24SC Verse 58Follow that friend who’s deeply-learned,
Dharma-endowed and lucid, great,
knows meaning leading out of doubts,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 25SC Verse 59In playful love and sensual joys
find no reward—no longer long;
embellish not but speak the truth,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 26SC Verse 60Partner, children, parents too,
kin and wealth—things bought with it,
leaving all sense-desires behind,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 27SC Verse 61“They are but bonds and brief their joys,
and few their sweets and more their ills.
Hooks in the throat!” This knowing well,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 28SC Verse 62Do snap the fetters, as a net
by river denizen is broke.
As fire to waste comes back no more,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 29SC Verse 63With downcast eyes, not loitering,
with guarded sense, warded thoughts,
with mind that festers not nor burns,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 30SC Verse 64Discard householder’s finery,
as shed their leaves the Coral Trees;
go forth in kāsāya robes,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 31SC Verse 65Crave not for tastes but free of greed
for alms food walk, omitting none,
and unattached ’mong families,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 32SC Verse 66Abandoned mind’s five hindrances,
set aside defilements all,
affection-blemish having cut,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 33SC Verse 67Let go of pain and happiness,
with previous joys and sorrows too,
gained poise and calm and purity,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 34SC Verse 68Resolved to win the Ultimate,
not slack in mind, nor slothful ways,
but steady, strong in body and mind,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 35SC Verse 69Seclusion, jhāna—do not cease
but what’s in line with Dharma do,
with mastered existential fears,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 36SC Verse 70Alert, aspiring craving’s end,
clear-voiced and learned, mindful too,
striven, true Dharma having known,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 37SC Verse 71As lion is unafraid of sounds,
like wind not caught within a net,
as lotus not by water soiled,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 38SC Verse 72As lion strong-toothed, the king of beasts,
subdues them all, so overcome
by use of practice-place remote,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 39SC Verse 73Frequent the mettā-mind, and ruth
at times, poised mind and joyful too—
unhindered mind by all the world.
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 40SC Verse 74Lust, hatred and delusion gone,
all the fetters having snapped,
then at life’s end, one trembles not,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.

SC 41SC Verse 75They serve and following having aims—
folk cunning, selfish-aimed and foul,
friends seeking nought are scarce today,
fare singly as the rhino’s horn.