Bhaddiyasuttaṃ [Ud 2.10, PTS 19–20]

10.

The Discourse on Bhaddiya

20. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Anupiyā in the mango grove. Now at that time the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, constantly uttered this inspired utterance - "Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!"

Several monks heard the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, constantly uttering this inspired utterance - "Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!" Having heard, this occurred to them: "Without doubt, friends, the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, lives the holy life without delight; the happiness of kingship that he formerly had when he was a householder, recollecting that, whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, he constantly uttered this inspired utterance - 'Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!'"

Then several monks approached the Blessed One; having approached, they paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. Seated to one side, those monks said this to the Blessed One - "The Venerable Bhaddiya, venerable sir, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, constantly uttered this inspired utterance - 'Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!' Without doubt, venerable sir, the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, lives the holy life without delight. The happiness of kingship that he formerly had when he was a householder, recollecting that, whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, he constantly uttered this inspired utterance - 'Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!'"

Then the Blessed One addressed a certain monk - "Come, monk, in my name address the monk Bhaddiya - 'The Teacher calls you, friend Bhaddiya.'"

"Yes, venerable sir," that monk, having assented to the Blessed One, approached the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā; having approached, he said this to Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā - "The Teacher calls you, friend Bhaddiya." "Yes, friend," the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, having assented to that monk, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and sat down to one side. To the Venerable Bhaddiya, the son of Kāḷīgodhā, seated to one side, the Blessed One said this:

"Is it true, Bhaddiya, that whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, you constantly uttered this inspired utterance - 'Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!'" "Yes, venerable sir."

"But what reason do you, Bhaddiya, see that whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, you constantly uttered this inspired utterance - 'Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!'" "Formerly, venerable sir, when I was a householder exercising kingship, protection was well arranged both inside the inner palace and outside the inner palace, protection was well arranged both inside the city and outside the city, protection was well arranged both inside the country and outside the country. So I, venerable sir, though thus protected and guarded, dwelt frightened, agitated, distrustful, and fearful. But now, venerable sir, whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, alone, fearless, unagitated, without distrust, without fear, living at ease, subdued, living on what is given by others, I dwell with a mind become like a deer. This is the reason, venerable sir, that I see, that whether gone to the forest or gone to the root of a tree or gone to an empty house, I constantly uttered this inspired utterance - 'Oh, what happiness! Oh, what happiness!'"

Then the Blessed One, having understood this matter, at that time uttered this inspired utterance -