Suttas and Stories on Contentment

[benlim]

Hi,

Can somebody point out the suttas and stories that focuses on Contentment?

Best Regards,
Ben

[karl_lew]

@benlim

Can somebody point out the suttas and stories that focuses on Contentment

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[Viveka]

Greetings benlim, and welcome to the forum of Sutta Central.

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[Sujith]

@benlim

Hi,

Can somebody point out the suttas and stories that focuses on Contentment?

Best Regards,
Ben

The Theragāthā/Therīgāthā has some verses that speak of contentment. Some examples:

2.4. Gaṅgātīriya

My hut on the bank of the Ganges
Is made from three palm leaves.
My alms-bowl is a funeral pot,
My robe is castoff rags.

In my first two rainy seasons
I spoke only one word.
In my third rainy season,
The mass of darkness was torn apart.

20.1. Mahāmoggallāna

“Living in the wilderness, eating only alms-food,
Happy with whatever scraps fall into the alms-bowl,
And serene inside:
Let us tear apart the army of death.

Living in the wilderness, eating only alms-food,
Happy with whatever scraps fall into the alms-bowl,
Let us smash the army of death,
Like an elephant smashing a reed hut.

1.57. Dutiyakuṭivihāri

This was your old hut,
But you still want a new hut.
Dispel desire for a hut, monk!
A new hut will only bring more suffering.

16.7. Kāḷigodhāputtabhaddiya

I rode on an elephant’s neck,
Wearing delicate clothes.
I ate rice conjey
With pure meat sauce.

Today I am fortunate, persevering,
Happy with the scraps in my alms-bowl;
Bhaddiya, son of Godhā,
Practices jhāna without grasping.

Wearing rags, persevering,
Happy with the scraps in my alms-bowl;
Bhaddiya, son of Godhā,
Practices jhāna without grasping.

[Acalaa]

@benlim

Can somebody point out the suttas and stories that focuses on Contentment?

The one that comes to mind is To Anuruddha, AN 8.30

It is clear from this sutta that contentment is mostly a matter of perception. When the mind is properly trained, the feeling of “good enough” or “enough” or even “this is fantastic!” is easier to elicit.