Sutta Nipāta (經集)

When a snake's venom spreads through the body, Herbal medicine can draw it out. When anger or ill will arises in the mind, A monk must learn to calm it down. Let go of both shores—this world and the next— Like a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

In the pond, lotuses bloom, But children dive to pick them. A monk must let go and cut off All desire without remainder. Leaving both this shore and the far shore, Like a snake shedding its worn-out skin.

Samsara is a rushing stream— You must make it dry and clean. Monks, you must abandon all desire And cut off craving, root and branch. Let go of near and distant shores, Like a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

A raging flood sweeps away a fragile bamboo bridge. A bhikkhu must demolish the dam of pride, letting no trace remain. Letting go of both this shore and the other—like a snake shedding its worn-out skin.

In the grove of fig trees, no blossoms can be found. In all the realms of existence, nothing firm is found. Let go of both the near and far shores, Like a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

Inner fires quenched — All anger faded, gone without a trace.

Fortune, misfortune, good, and evil — A monk must rise above them all, Let go of both near and far, Like a snake shedding its worn-out skin.

All cravings are burned away, All goodness dwells within the heart. A monk should hold to this truth, Letting go of both near and far— Like a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

Strive but do not go to extremes, Neither lingering nor lazy, A monk must overcome all obstacles — Leaving both shores behind, Like a snake shedding its worn-out skin.

Strive with moderation, Neither lagging nor rushing too fast.

A monk who understands The world's illusory nature Let go of both shores— Like a snake shedding its worn-out skin.

Strive diligently, but without excess— Neither sluggish nor neglectful.

A monk released from craving sees: All things are but illusion.

Leave both shores far behind, Like a snake shedding its worn-out skin.

Strive diligently but without excess— Neither delay nor laziness.

A monk, free from desire, Sees all as illusion.

Let go of both shores, Like a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

Be diligent without going to extremes, Neither lazy nor slack. A monk free from anger sees all as illusory. Abandon both shores, Like a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

Strive diligently without excess, Neither too slow nor slack.

A monk who abandons delusion sees: All things are illusory.

Leave both near and far behind, Like a snake shedding its worn-out skin.

Latent defilements and all afflictions, none of them can be allowed to exist. All kinds of unwholesome roots, a monk completely destroys and breaks through. Together leaving behind both near and far shores, just as a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

All who come to this shore, Are bound by conditions and fate. No being is born without suffering, A monk is free from all afflictions.

Let them abandon both shores— As a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

Bonds and attachments are the root cause, Body and mind find no release.

When the forest of craving gives rise to nothing, A monk is free from all afflictions.

Let go of both the near and far shore, Like a snake sheds its worn-out skin.

Let go of the five hindrances, cross over doubt without distress. A monk free of worry, has left behind the arrow of affliction. Having abandoned both this shore and the other, like a snake shedding its old skin.