Help | Home » Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Sutta Nipata » Context of this sutta

### Sutta Nipata V.10

# Kappa-manava-puccha

# Kappa's Question

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

Kappa:

> For one stranded in the middle of the lake,
> in the flood of great danger -- birth --
> overwhelmed with aging & death:
> Tell me the island, dear sir,
> and show me the island
> so that this may not happen again.

The Buddha:

> For one stranded in the middle of the lake,
> in the flood of great danger -- birth --
> overwhelmed with aging & death,
> I will tell you the island, Kappa.

> Having nothing,
> clinging to no thing:
> That is the island,
> there is no other.
> That's Unbinding, I tell you,
> the total ending of aging & death.

> Those knowing this, mindful,
> fully unbound
> in the here & now,
> don't serve as Mara's servants,
> don't come under Mara's sway.

Revised: Wed 16 May 2001