Written by Sa 'tsho byin (*Bhūmirakṣitadatta)
Translated by Dipaṁkara and Gewai Lodrö
For those who wish for the joys of asceticism,
Who see the reckless behavior of worldlings
Here I recount what a monk has said well
About what it means to remain in true solitude.
In order to be free of distress, the One Thus Gone
Received the blessed empowerment of pacfication most praised --
The ascetical lifestyle -- and being familiar with household life,
Sunk in its distressing utmost attachment, so difficult to escape,
The peerless Exalted One remained at the foot of a tree,
Observing the birth and decease of living beings,
And with the bliss of inner peace fully ripened, at a suitable time
He achieved exaltation evermore so than other men.
The shackles of mind being removed by dint
Of antidotes, in the jungle of birthlessness
One is content with a yogi's nectar of pacification;
Happy, the reversal of stupor is purified.
At night, receiving the offerings of moonlight
And the vivid twinking of star-flowers,
The mind that relies upon solitude is certain of peace;
Such great joys will take birth in oneself.
Wherever a monk finds solitude, for that reason
He becomes peaceful and free of downfall.
When one depends on things there is attachment
And mind is tormented by many deprivations.
Just as plaintain and bamboo sprouts
Bear fruit and then display self-destruction
Just so the ascetic who becomes free of home life
Overcomes himself and is seen to be attached [to that lifestyle].
Wild animals clothed by the dust of the earth
Are sustained only by grass and leaves;
A mind most intent upon solitude wants only that,
But not the vast conspicuous wealth of the four continents.
Sitting under trees and facing waterfalls, by such asceticism
One is free of holding onto everything else.
The joy that occurs in just in connection with own's mind
Is not even possessed by kings.
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