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Udana » Context of this sutta
- Udana V.4
- Kumaraka Sutta
- The Boys
- For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma
I have heard that on one occasion the Blessed One was staying near Savatthi,
in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time, a large
number of boys on the road between Savatthi and Jeta's Grove were catching fish. Then
early in the morning the Blessed One, having put on his robes and carrying his bowl and
outer robe, went into Savatthi for alms. He saw the large number of boys on the road
between Savatthi and Jeta's Grove catching fish. Seeing them, he went up to them and, on
arrival, said to them: "Boys, do you fear pain? Do you dislike pain?"
"Yes, lord, we fear pain. We dislike pain."
Then, on realizing the significance of that, the Blessed One on that occasion
exclaimed:
If you fear pain,
if you dislike pain,
don't do an evil deed
in open or secret.
If you're doing or will do
an evil deed,
you won't escape pain:
it will catch you
even as you run away.