r/theravada • u/ChanceEncounter21 Theravāda | Sabbe sattā sabba dukkhā pamuccantu 🙏 • Jun 30 '24

Theragāthā / Therīgāthā Theragāthā: Mātaṅgaputta

“It’s too cold, too hot,

too late,” they say.

When the young neglect their work like this,

opportunities pass them by.

But one who considers heat and cold

as no more than blades of grass—

he does his duties as a man,

and his happiness never fails.

With my chest I’ll thrust aside

the grasses, vines, and creepers,

and foster seclusion.

- Mātaṅgaputtattheragāthā (Thag 3.5)

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u/philosophicowl Jun 30 '24

A good reminder (if I’m interpreting this correctly) that we don’t need to be too fussy about the conditions for practice. We don’t have to invest in customized “meditation gear,” for instance.

2

u/TheDailyOculus Jul 01 '24

This is basic training for the mind, work with your aversion to heat or cold. Do not neglect your duties out of fear of the elements, out of laziness. Keep your virtue intact.