1. Thus Have I Heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. There he addressed the bhikkhus thus:, - "Bhikkhus." "Venerable Sir", they replied. The Blessed One said this:
2. "Bhikkhus, I shall teach you the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has Had a Single Excellent Night'. Listen and attend closely to what I shall say." -- "Yes, venerable sir." the bhikkhus replied. The Blessed One said this:
3. " Let not a person revive the past
Or on the future build his hopes;
For the past has been left behind
And the future has not been reached.
Instead with insight let him see
Each presently arisen state;
Let him know that and be sure of it,
Invincibly, Unshakeably.
Today the effort must be made;
Tomorrow Death may come, who knows?
No bargain with Mortality
Can keep him and his hordes away,
But one who dwells thus ardently,
Relentlessly, by day, by night -
It is he, the Peaceful Sage has said,
Who has had a single excellent night."
From Bhaddekaratta Sutta (A Single Excellent Night) Majjhima Nikaya #131 Translation of Majjhima Nikaya by Bhikkhu Nanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi.
