MN 134 Lomasakangiyabhaddekaratta Sutta: Lomasakangiya and One Fortunate Attachment
Thus have i heard.
On one occasion the Blessed One was living at Savatthi in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. Now on that occasion the venerable Lomasakangiya was living in the Sakyan country at Kapilavatthu in Nigrodha's Park. Then, when the night was well advanced, Candana, a young deity of beautiful appearance who illuminated the whole of Nigrodha's Park, approached the venerable Lomasakangiya. Standing at one side, Candana the young deity said to him: "Bhikkhu, do you remember the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment'?"
Venerable Lomasakangiya: "Friend, I do not remember the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment.' But, friend, do you remember the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment'?" Deity: "Bhikkhu, I too do not remember the summary and exposition. But, bhikkhu, do you remember the stanza of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment'?" Venerable Lomasakangiya: "Friend, I do not remember the stanza. But, friend, do you remember the stanza of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment'?" Deity: "Bhikkhu, I remember the stanza of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment.'"
Venerable Lomasakangiya: "But, friend, in what way do you remember the stanza of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment'?" Deity: "Bhikkhu, once the Blessed One was living among the gods of the heaven of the Thirty-three, on the Red Marble Stone at the root of the Paricchattaka tree. There the Blessed One recited the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment' to the gods of the heaven of the Thirty-three: '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 one fortunate attachment.'
Deity: "Bhikkhu, I remember the stanza of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment' thus. Bhikkhu, learn the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment.' Bhikkhu, master the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment.' Bhikkhu, remember the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment.' Bhikkhu, the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment' is beneficial, it belongs to the fundamentals of the holy life." That is what was said by Candana the young deity, who thereupon vanished at once.
When the night was over, venerable Lomasakangiya set his resting place in order, and taking his bowl and outer robe, set out to wander by stages to Savatthi. Heat length arrived at Savatthi, and went to the Blessed One in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's Park. After paying homage to him, he sat down at one side, told the Blessed One all that had occurred, and said: "It would be good, venerable sir, if the Blessed One would teach me the summary and exposition of 'One Who Has One Fortunate Attachment.'"
Buddha: "Bhikkhu, do you know that young deity?" Venerable Lomasakangiya: "No, venerable sir." Buddha: "Bhikkhu, that young deity is named Candana. He heeds the Dhamma, gives it attention, engages it with all his mind, hears it with eager ears. So, bhikkhu, listen and attend closely to what I shall say." "Yes, venerable sir," the venerable Lomasakangiya replied to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said this: "Let not a person revive the past... (Repeat the whole of Sutta 131) Who has one fortunate attachment." That is what the Blessed One said. The Venerable Lomasakangiya was satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One's words.
In summary, the above four suttas (MN 131-134) all revolve around a stanza spoken by the Buddha emphasizing the need for present effort in developing insight into things as they are. Buddha advises one not to hanker after the past, yearn for the future, and in which one remains detached among things present.
References: 1. www.accesstoinsight.org 2. https://suttacentral.net/ 3. The Middle discourses of the Buddha (Bhikkhu Bodhi)