“I was delicate, exceedingly delicate, extremely delicate. Pools made of red lotuses were made for me at my father’s house.”
– Sukhamāla Sutta (AN 3:39)
“But with this racking practice of austerities I haven’t attained any superior human state… Could there be another path to Awakening?”
– Mahā-Saccaka Sutta (MN 36)
Passages translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu from early Buddhist scriptures in the Pali Canon, traditionally attributed to the Buddha.
Siddhartha recognizes that neither having everything nor rejecting it is the answer. One should not strive, but remain centered as life unfolds.
Sources:
– https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN36.htm
– https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/AN/AN3_39.html