A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

18: Dwelling
Jā 178 Kacchapajātakaṁ
Non-Attachment to Home
A turtle stays behind in the mud when a drought
threatens and is killed by someone digging there.
As he dies he utters these words.
347. Janittaṁ me bhavittaṁ me, iti paṅke avassayiṁ,
Taṁ maṁ paṅko ajjhabhavi, yathā dubbalakaṁ tathā.
Here is the place of my birth and
Where I grew up, I lived on this mud,
And on this mud I will now die,
Just like one who is defenceless.
348. Taṁ taṁ vadāmi, Bhaggava, suṇohi vacanaṁ mama:
Gāme vā yadi vāraññe, sukhaṁ yatrādhigacchati,
349. Taṁ janittaṁ bhavittañ-ca purisassa pajānato
Yamhi jīve tamhi gacche, na niketahato siyā.
This, I say, listen to my word:
Whether in the villages or wilds –
Wherever he finds happiness –
Although knowing his place of birth,
He should live wherever he can,
Without attachment to his home.
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