Difficult to Practise

“The ascetic life is hard to practise
And hard for the inept to endure,
For many are the obstructions there
In which the fool founders.”

“How many days can one practise the ascetic life
If one does not rein in one’s mind?
One would founder with each step
Under the control of one’s intentions.

“Drawing in the mind’s thoughts
As a tortoise draws its limbs into its shell,
Independent, not harassing others, fully quenched,
A bhikkhu would not blame anyone.”