Navakammika Sutta

The Builder

For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma

On one occasion the Blessed One was staying among the Kosalans in a certain forest thicket. Now at that time the brahmin Navakammika ("Builder") Bharadvaja was getting some work done in that forest thicket. He saw the Blessed One sitting under a sala tree -- his legs folded crosswise, his body held erect, with mindfulness set to the fore. On seeing him, the thought occurred to the brahmin: "Here I am, taking delight in getting work done in this forest thicket. But what does this contemplative take delight in getting done?"

So he went to the Blessed One and on arrival recited this verse:

"What jobs are getting done,
    monk in the sala forest?
Alone in the wilderness,
    in what does Gotama
        find delight?"

[The Buddha:]

I have no work
to do in the forest.
The forest of restless dancing about
    I've cut
    at the root.
Though in the forest, I'm
    deforested,
    de-arrowed.
I delight     alone,
    discontent cast away.

When this was said, the brahmin Navakammika Bharadvaja said to the Blessed One: "Magnificent, Master Gotama! Magnificent! In many ways has Master Gotama made the Dhamma clear -- just as if he were to place upright what has been overturned, to reveal what has been hidden, to point out the way to one who is lost, or to set out a lamp in the darkness so that those with eyes might see forms. I go to Master Gotama for refuge, to the Dhamma, & to the community of monks. May Master Gotama remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge from this day forward, for life."

Revised: 10 November 1999

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/canon/samyutta/sn7-17.html