One of the preferred quick Suttas, typically introduced as a “must read” to new Buddhists is the well-known “Not Yours” Sutta or what I prefer to name the “Letting Go” Sutta. Although Na Tumhaka Sutta is actually a instructing on Dependent Arising, there’s are some ways — as at all times — to suppose of this instructing of Gautama Buddha. [For a full feature story on Dependent Arising see>>]
Today, the largest subject I see in myself (and others) is the lack to “let go.” We can’t let go of the previous. Those unhealthy reminiscences plague us, hang-out us, by no means let us go. Those horrible tragedies — for me: each of my in-laws passing away after my very own mom — they’re so very laborious to let go.
The Na Tumhaka Sutta teaches letting go in Shakyamuni Buddha’s personal phrases. Although he speaks of ears, nostril, tongue, physique (in any case, it’s a discourse on Dependent Arising and in addition letting go of attachments) once I learn it I hold listening to: previous, future, needs, fears. Of course, there are a lot of suttas talking to releasing attachment, and letting go of the previous and staying within the current. Yet I return again and again to this quick, fantastic sutta.
In a chaotic world, full of fears and risks, the act of “letting go” is one of probably the most instant and highly effective strategies to rise above the chaos. And studying the phrases of the Buddha, taking refuge within the Dharma, is the best of comforts.
Na Tumhaka Sutta
Not Yours
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
“Whatever is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will likely be in your long-term happiness and profit. And what is not yours?
“The eye is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will likely be in your long-term happiness and profit. Forms are not yours… Eye-consciousness is not yours… Eye-contact is not yours… Whatever arises in dependence on eye-contact, skilled both as pleasure, as ache, or as neither-pleasure-nor-pain, that too is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will likely be in your long-term happiness and profit.
“The ear is not yours: let go of it…
“The nostril is not yours: let go of it…
“The tongue is not yours: let go of it…
“The physique is not yours: let go of it…
“The mind is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will likely be in your long-term happiness and profit. Ideas are not yours… Intellect-consciousness is not yours… Intellect-contact is not yours… Whatever arises in dependence on intellect-contact, skilled both as pleasure, as ache, or as neither-pleasure-nor-pain, that too is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will likely be in your long-term happiness and profit.
“Suppose an individual had been to collect or burn or do as he likes with the grass, twigs, branches, and leaves right here in Jeta’s Grove.
Would the thought happen to you, ‘It’s us that this individual is gathering, burning, or doing with as he likes’?”
“No, lord. Why is that? Because those things are not our self nor do they pertain to our self.”
“In the same way, monks, the eye is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will be for your long-term happiness and benefit… The ear… The nose… The tongue… The body… The intellect is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will be for your long-term happiness and benefit… Whatever arises in dependence on intellect-contact, experienced either as pleasure, as pain, or as neither-pleasure-nor-pain, that too is not yours: let go of it. Your letting go of it will be for your long-term happiness and benefit.”
