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nor self as in consciousness. Thus, friends, one does not become entangled in present phenomena. Do not follow after the past, do not anticipate the future. What is past is abandoned, the future is not yet arrived. the past. “Whoever discerns the present Dhamma here and there, unwavering, unshakeable, that the wise one should cultivate. “Today is the task of ardour, who knows death tomorrow? For there is no bargain for us with that great army of Death. “One who dwells thus, ardent, untiring day and night, that one indeed the peaceful sages call a ‘Bhaddekaratta’.” “Thus, bhante, I instructed, exhorted, inspired, and gladdened the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk, and I spoke of the summary and analysis of the Bhaddekaratta.” “Good, good, Ānanda! Indeed, Ānanda, you have well instructed, exhorted, inspired, and gladdened the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk, and you have spoken of the summary and analysis of the Bhaddekaratta – “One should not follow after the past… …that one indeed the peaceful sages call a ‘Bhaddekaratta’.” “And how, Ānanda, does one follow after the past? …Thus, Ānanda, one follows after the past. And how, Ānanda, does one not follow after the past? …Thus, Ānanda, one does not follow after the past. And how, Ānanda, does one anticipate the future? …Thus, Ānanda, one anticipates the future. And how, Ānanda, does one not anticipate the future? …Thus, Ānanda, one does not anticipate the future. And how, Ānanda, does one get entangled in present phenomena? …Thus, Ānanda, one gets entangled in present phenomena. And how, Ānanda, does one not get entangled in present phenomena? …Thus, Ānanda, one does not get entangled in present phenomena. “One should not follow after the past… …that one indeed the peaceful sages call a ‘Bhaddekaratta’.” This is what the Blessed One said. Satisfied, Venerable Ānanda rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words. The Ānanda Bhaddekaratta Sutta, the second, is finished. 3. The Mahākaccāna Bhaddekaratta Sutta Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was dwelling in Rājagaha, at Tapodārāma. Then Venerable Samiddhi Then, in the early morning, having risen, he approached the Hot Springs to bathe his body. Having bathed his body at the Hot Springs, and having come out, he stood in a single robe, drying his body. Then, a certain deity, when the night was far advanced, of surpassing beauty, illuminating the entire Hot Springs, approached Venerable Samiddhi; having approached, she stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity said this to Venerable Samiddhi: "Do you remember, monk, the summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night'?" "No, friend, I do not remember the summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night'. But do you, friend, remember the summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night'?" "I too, monk, do not remember the summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night'. But do you, monk, remember the verses of 'A Single Auspicious Night'?" "No, friend, I do not remember the verses of 'A Single Auspicious Night'. But do you, friend, remember the verses of 'A Single Auspicious Night'?" "I too, monk, do not remember the verses of 'A Single Auspicious Night'. Learn, monk, the summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night'; master, monk, the summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night'; remember, monk, the summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night'. The summary and the analysis of 'A Single Auspicious Night', monk, are connected with the goal, fundamental to the holy life." This is what that deity said; having said this, she vanished right there. Then, Venerable Samiddhi, when that night had passed, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid homage to the Blessed One, and sat down to one side. Sitting to one side, Venerable Samiddhi said this to the Blessed One: "Here, Bhante, in the early morning, having risen, I approached the Hot Springs to bathe my body. Having bathed my body at the Hot Springs, and having come out, I stood with one robe, letting my body dry. Then, venerable sir, a certain deity, when the night was far advanced, of surpassing beauty, illuminating the entire hot spring, approached me. Having approached, she stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity said to me: 'Do you hold, bhikkhu, the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night?' When this was said, venerable sir, I said to that deity: 'Indeed, friend, I do not hold the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night. But do you, friend, hold the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night?' 'Indeed, bhikkhu, I also do not hold the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night. But do you, bhikkhu, hold the verses of the Fortunate One-Night?' 'Indeed, friend, I do not hold the verses of the Fortunate One-Night. But do you, friend, hold the verses of the Fortunate One-Night?' 'Indeed, bhikkhu, I also do not hold the verses of the Fortunate One-Night. Learn, bhikkhu, the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night. Master, bhikkhu, the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night. Hold, bhikkhu, the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night. The summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night, bhikkhu, is connected with the goal, and is fundamental to the holy life.' This is what that deity said, venerable sir. Having said this, she vanished right there. 'It would be good for me, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would teach the summary and analysis of the Fortunate One-Night.' 'In that case, bhikkhu, listen. Pay close attention. I will speak.' 'Yes, venerable sir,' Venerable Samiddhi replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this: Do not pursue the past, Do not anticipate the future. What is past is abandoned, The future is unreached. But whoever sees the present phenomenon wherever it arises, unwavering, unshakeable, let that wise one cultivate it. Today is the task for ardent effort. Who knows if death will come tomorrow? For we have no pact with him, with Death, the great army. "One who dwells thus, ardent, untiring day and night; Him, indeed, the peaceful sages declare to be 'the best of those who live for a single night'." This the Blessed One said; having said this, the Sugata rose from his seat and entered the dwelling. Then, to those bhikkhus, not long after the Blessed One had departed, this thought occurred: "This, friends, the Blessed One has given us a brief outline, without elaborating on its meaning, and has risen from his seat and entered the dwelling— 'One should not pursue the past, nor anticipate the future; What is past is abandoned, the future is unattained. 'And whoever discerns the present Dhamma, there, there, unwavering, unshakeable, that, the wise one should cultivate. 'Today is the task for ardour, who knows if death comes tomorrow? For we have no pact with him, with Death, the great army. 'One who dwells thus, ardent, untiring day and night; Him, indeed, the peaceful sages declare to be 'the best of those who live for a single night'.' "Who, then, could elaborate on the meaning of this brief outline given by the Blessed One, the meaning of which has not been elaborated?" Then, to those bhikkhus, this thought occurred: "This venerable Mahākaccāna is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by discerning fellow practitioners; and venerable Mahākaccāna is capable of elaborating on the meaning of this brief outline given by the Blessed One, the meaning of which has not been elaborated. Let us approach venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, let us ask venerable Mahākaccāna about this matter." 281. Then those bhikkhus approached venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, they exchanged greetings with venerable Mahākaccāna. Having concluded the courteous and memorable talk, they sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those bhikkhus said to venerable Mahākaccāna: "This, friend Kaccāna, the Blessed One s Having taught a brief summary, without elaborating on the meaning in detail, having risen from his seat, he entered the monastery: "Let one not pursue the past... That indeed is the one who lives a single excellent night, say the peaceful sages." "To us, friend Kaccāna, after the Blessed One had recently departed, this thought occurred: 'Indeed, friend, the Blessed One, having taught a brief summary, without elaborating on the meaning in detail, having risen from his seat, entered the monastery: "Let one not pursue the past... That indeed is the one who lives a single excellent night, say the peaceful sages."'" "Who indeed could elaborate on the meaning in detail of this brief summary taught by the Blessed One, the meaning of which was not elaborated upon in detail?" To us, friend Kaccāna, this thought occurred: 'Indeed, the venerable Mahākaccāna is praised by the Teacher and esteemed by discerning fellow practitioners. And the venerable Mahākaccāna is capable of elaborating on the meaning in detail of this brief summary taught by the Blessed One, the meaning of which was not elaborated upon in detail. Let us approach the venerable Mahākaccāna; having approached, let us ask the venerable Mahākaccāna about this matter.' "Please elaborate, venerable Mahākaccāna." "Just as, friends, a man seeking the essence, searching for the essence, wandering in search of the essence, of a great, standing, essential tree, having passed over the root, having passed over the trunk, might think that the essence is to be sought in the branches and leaves; so it is with you venerable ones, when the Teacher is present, having passed over that Blessed One, you think that this matter should be asked of us. For that Blessed One, friends, knows what is to be known, sees what is to be seen, has become the eye, has become knowledge, has become Dhamma, has become Brahma, is the speaker, the proclaimer, the bringer of meaning, the giver of the deathless, the master of Dhamma, the Tathāgata. And that was indeed the time