Hatthaka Sutta

Khaggavisana Sutta

A Rhinoceros Horn

Renouncing violence for all living beings, harming not even a one, you would not wish for offspring, so how a companion?
Wander alone like a rhinoceros.

For a sociable person there are allurements; on the heels of allurement, this pain. Seeing allurement's drawback, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

One whose mind is enmeshed in sympathy for friends and companions, neglects the true goal. Seeing this danger in intimacy, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Like spreading bamboo,  entwined, is concern for offspring and spouses. Like a bamboo sprout,  un-entangling, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

As a deer in the wilds, unfettered, goes for forage wherever it wants: the wise person, valuing freedom, wanders alone
like a rhinoceros.

In the midst of companions -- when staying at home,

 when going out wandering-- you are prey to requests.
Valuing the freedom wander alone like a rhinoceros.

There is sporting and love in the midst of companions,

and abundant fondness for offspring. Feeling disgust at the prospect of parting from those who'd be dear, wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Without resistance in all four directions, content with whatever you get, enduring troubles with no dismay, wander alone

like a rhinoceros.

They are hard to please, some of those gone forth, as well as those living the household life. Shedding concern for these offspring of others, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Cutting off the householder's marks, [1]  like a kovilara tree
 that has shed its leaves, the prudent one, cutting all household ties, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

If you gain a mature companion, a fellow traveler, right living and wise, overcoming all dangers go with him, gratified,

 mindful.

If you don't gain a mature companion, a fellow traveler, right-living and wise,  wander alone like a king renouncing his kingdom, like the elephant in the Matanga wilds, his herd.

We praise companionship -- yes!
Those on a par, or better, should be chosen as friends. If they're not to be found,  living faultlessly, wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Seeing radiant bracelets of gold, well made by a smith, clinking, clashing,  two on an arm, wander alone like a rhinoceros,

[Thinking:]
"In the same way, if I were to live with another, there would be careless talk or abusive." Seeing this future danger, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Because sensual pleasures, elegant, honeyed, and charming,

bewitch the mind with their manifold forms -- seeing this drawback in sensual strands -- wander alone like a rhinoceros.

"Calamity, tumor, misfortune, disease, an arrow, a danger for me." Seeing this danger in sensual strands, wander alone

like a rhinoceros.

Cold and heat, hunger and thirst, wind and sun, horseflies and snakes: enduring all these, without exception, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

As a great white elephant, with massive shoulders, renouncing his herd, lives in the wilds wherever he wants,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.

"There's no way that one delighting in company can touch even momentary release." Heeding the Solar Kinsman's words, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Transcending the contortion of views,  the sure way attained,
 the path gained, [realizing:] "Un-led by others,
I have knowledge arisen," wander alone like a rhinoceros.

With no greed, no deceit, no thirst, no hypocrisy --  delusion and blemishes  blown away -- with no inclinations for all the world,  every world, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Avoid the evil companion disregarding the goal,  intent on the out-of-tune way. Don't take as a friend someone heedless and hankering. Wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Consort with one who is learned,  who maintains the Dhamma,

 a great and quick-witted friend. Knowing the meanings, subdue your perplexity, [then] wander alone like a rhinoceros,

Free from longing, finding no pleasure in the world's sport, love, or sensual bliss, abstaining from adornment, speaking the truth, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Abandoning offspring, spouse, father, mother, riches, grain, relatives, and sensual pleasures  altogether, wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

"This is a bondage, a baited hook. There's little happiness here, next to no satisfaction, all the more suffering and pain."

Knowing this, circumspect, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Shattering fetters, like a fish in the water tearing a net,

like a fire not coming back to what's burnt, wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

Eyes downcast, not footloose, senses guarded, with protected mind, not oozing -- not burning -- with lust, wander alone

like a rhinoceros.

Taking off the householder's marks, [2] like a coral tree  that has shed its leaves, going forth in the ochre robe, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Showing no greed for flavors, not careless, going from house to house for alms, with mind un-enmeshed in this family or that, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Abandoning barriers to awareness, expelling all defilements -- all -- non-dependent, cutting aversion,  allurement, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Turning your back on pleasure and pain, as earlier with sorrow and joy, attaining pure equanimity,  tranquility,
wander alone like a rhinoceros.

With persistence aroused for the highest goal's attainment,

with mind un-smeared, not lazy in action, firm in effort, with steadfastness and strength arisen, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Not neglecting seclusion, absorption, constantly living the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma, comprehending the danger in states of becoming, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Intent on the ending of craving and heedful, learned, mindful, not muddled, certain -- having reckoned the Dhamma --
 and striving, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Un-startled, like a lion at sounds. Un-snared, like the wind in a net. Un-smeared, like a lotus in water: wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Like a lion -- forceful, strong in fang, living as a conqueror, the king of beasts -- resort to a solitary dwelling. Wander alone
like a rhinoceros.

At the right time consorting with the release through good will,

 compassion,  appreciation, equanimity, unobstructed by all the world,  any world, wander alone like a rhinoceros.

Having let go of passion,  aversion, delusion; having hattered the fetters; undisturbed at the ending of life, wander alone

like a rhinoceros.

People follow and associate  for a motive. Friends without a motive these days  are rare. They're shrewd for their own ends, and impure. Wander alone like a rhinoceros.