597. Dear monk, what are you looking for, staying in this thick forest in the mountain Ujjuhana in this rainy season? Do you really like this chilly wind? Meditators like to live alone.
598. In the rainy season, strong winds carry clouds through the sky. In the same way, thoughts connected to seclusion overwhelm my mind.
599. All the time there are crows covering the cemetery. When I see those birds, mindfulness connected to thoughts of dispassion about this body arises in me.
600. If others do not protect him, and if he does not protect others, that kind of monk sleeps happily having no hopes for sensual pleasures.
601. The stream with clear water and a rocky slope is very beautiful. Monkeys and other animals have lots of fun there. Those mountains covered with moss delight my heart.
602. I have lived in forests, beside water falls, in caves, and in faraway monasteries inhabited by beasts.
603. I am not aware of having any evil and angry thoughts such as, “May these beings be killed, may they be slaughtered and may they come to harm.”
604. The Great Teacher’s instruction has been respectfully followed by me. The Buddha’s path has been fully followed by me. I lowered the heavy load of defilements. I rooted out the fetters of existence.
605. I became a monk with the wish to achieve one goal – the destruction of all fetters. That, I have achieved.
606. I don’t desire to die nor do I desire to live. Like a person who is awaiting his monthly salary, I am awaiting my time to attain final extinguishing at passing away.
607. I don’t long for death, I don’t long for life, with clear mindfulness and awareness I am awaiting the day to attain final extinguishing at passing away.
These verses were said by Arahant Saṅkicca.
