Theragāthā (Psalms of the Brethren)

Background Homage to him, the blessed one, the perfected one, the fully awakened Buddha!

Like the lions of mighty fang who roar in mountain caves— hear now from those who’ve practiced well their own verses about themselves.

What their name, and what their clan, and how they lived by the teaching; how dedicated were those wise ones, as they meditated tirelessly.

Clearly discerning in every case, they reached the state that does not pass. Reviewing their completed task, they spoke about it in these words.

Subhūti My hut is roofed and pleasant, sheltered from the wind: so rain, heavens, as you please! My mind is serene and freed, I practice wholeheartedly: so rain, heavens! That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Subhūti.

Calm and still, thoughtful in counsel, not restless— he shakes off bad qualities as the gale shakes leaves off a tree. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Mahākoṭṭhita.

See this wisdom of the Realized Ones! Like a fire blazing in the night, giving light, giving vision, they dispel the doubt of those who’ve come. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Revata the Doubter.

Associate only with the virtuous, the astute ones who see the goal. The attentive ones, diligent and clear-seeing, realize the goal so great and profound, hard to see, subtle, and very fine. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Puṇṇa son of Mantāṇī.

Once hard to tame, now tamed himself; proficient, content, with doubt overcome; victorious since his fears have vanished: Dabba is steadfast, and has become fully quenched. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Dabba.

The monk who went to the Cool Grove is solitary, content and serene, victorious, with goosebumps vanished, guarding mindfulness of the body, steadfast. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Sītavaniya.

He has cast aside the army of the King of Death, as a fragile bridge of reeds by a great flood. Victorious since his fears have vanished: tame and steadfast, he has become quenched. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Bhalliya.

Once hard to tame, now tamed himself; a hero, content, with doubt overcome; victorious, with goosebumps vanished, Vīra is steadfast, and has become fully quenched. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Vīra.

It was welcome, not unwelcome, the advice I got was good. Of the well-explained teachings, I arrived at the best. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Pilindavaccha.

A knowledge master, peaceful and self-controlled, is rid of concern for this world and the world beyond. Unsullied in the midst of all things, they’d know the arising and passing of the world. That is how this verse was recited by the senior venerable Puṇṇamāsa.

A monk full of joy in the teaching proclaimed by the Buddha would realize the peaceful state, the blissful stilling of conditions.

Empowered by wisdom, <j>with precepts and observances intact, serene, loving absorption, mindful, eating just the needed food, one should await one’s time here, free of desire.

Glistening, they look like blue stormclouds, with waters cool and streams so clear, and covered all in ladybugs: these rocky crags delight me!

My mentor said to me: “Let’s leave here, Sīvaka.” My body lives in the village, but my mind has gone to the wilderness. I go there even when lying down— you can’t chain those who know.

Five to cut, five to drop, and five more to develop. When a mendicant slips five chains they’re said to have crossed the flood.

Just as a fine thoroughbred proceeds with ease, tail and mane flying in the wind; so my days and nights proceed with ease, full of joy not of the flesh.

One who gets drowsy from overeating, fond of sleep, rolling round the bed like a great hog stuffed with grain: that dullard returns to the womb again and again.

There was an heir of the Buddha, a monk in Bhesakaḷā forest, who suffused the entire earth with the perception of bones. I think he will quickly get rid of sensual desire.

While irrigators guide water, fletchers bend arrows straight, and carpenters bend timber straight, those true to their vows tame themselves.

I do not fear death; nor do I long for life. I’ll lay down this body, aware and mindful.

I’m not afraid of fear, for our teacher is expert in freedom from death. Mendicants advance by the path where no fear remains.

Crested peacocks with beautiful blue necks cry out in Karaṁvī. Stirred by a cool breeze, they wake the sleeper to practice absorption.

I’ll eat honey and milk-rice in Veḷugumba. And then, dexterously probing the rise and fall of the aggregates, I’ll return to my forest hill and foster seclusion.

See the excellence of the teaching! Just one rainy season after I went forth, I attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Dark One, after attacking such a monk— one who has arrived at the fruit, and whose mind is always full of light— you’ll fall into suffering.

Having heard the fine words of the Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun, I penetrated the subtle truth, like a hair-tip with an arrow.

With my chest I’ll thrust aside the grasses, vines, canes, the vetiver, rushes and reeds, and foster seclusion.

Aren’t you obsessed with clothes? Don’t you just love jewelry? Is it not you—and no one else— who spreads the scent of virtue?

Straighten yourself, like a fletcher an arrow. When your mind is upright, Hārita, break ignorance to bits!

When I was ill in the past, mindfulness arose in me. Now I am ill once more— it’s time for me to be heedful.

Pestered by flies and mosquitoes in the wilds, the formidable forest, one should mindfully endure, like an elephant at the head of the battle.

I’ll swap old age for the unaging, burning for quenching— the ultimate peace, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.

Just as a mother would be good to her beloved only child; so, to creatures all and everywhere, let one be good.

It’s always better for a smart person to avoid sharing a seat with such women. I went from the village to the wilderness; from there I entered a house. Though I was there to be fed, I got up and left without taking leave.

Seeking happiness, they find it through this practice. They get a good reputation and grow in fame, those who develop the direct route: the noble eightfold path to realize freedom from death.

Learning is good, living well is good, the life without abode is always good. Questions on the meaning, actions that are skillful: this is the ascetic life for one who has nothing.

Some travel to different countries, wandering undisciplined. If they lose their meditation, what will such rotten conduct achieve? So you should dispel aggression, practicing absorption undistracted.

His psychic power made the Sarabhū River stand still; Gavampati is unbound and unperturbed. The gods bow to that great sage, <j>who has slipped all chains, and gone beyond rebirth.

Like they’re struck by a sword, like their head was on fire, a mendicant should wander mindful to give up sensual desire.

Like they’re struck by a sword, like their head was on fire, a mendicant should wander mindful, to give up desire for rebirth.

Lightning flashes down on the cleft of Vebhāra and Paṇḍava. But in the mountain cleft he is absorbed in jhāna— the son of the Buddha, inimitable and unaffected.

Cālā, Upacālā, Sīsupacālā— meditate mindfully! I’ve come to you like a hair-splitter.

Well freed! Well freed! I’m very well freed from three crooked things: my sickles, my ploughs, and my little hoes. Even if they were here, right here— I’d be done with them, done! Practice absorption Sumaṅgala! <j>Practice absorption Sumaṅgala! Stay heedful, Sumaṅgala!

Mum, they weep for the dead, or for one who’s alive but missing. I’m alive and you can see me, so mum, why do you weep for me?

Though a fine thoroughbred may stumble, it soon stands firm again. Even so is one accomplished in vision, a disciple of the Buddha.

I went forth out of faith from the lay life to homelessness. My mindfulness and wisdom have grown, my mind is serene. Make whatever illusions you want, it doesn’t bother me.

Homage to you, O Buddha, O hero, freed in every way! Meditating in the fruits of your practice, I live without defilements.

Since I went forth from the lay life to homelessness, I’ve not been aware of any thought that is ignoble and hateful.

Even with all the sounds, the chirping and cheeping of the birds, my mind doesn’t flounder, for I’m devoted to oneness.

The celestial lake Dharaṇī pours, <j>the heavenly gale blows, and lightning flashes across the sky! But my thoughts are stilled, my mind is serene.

The heavens rain like a sweet song; my hut is roofed and pleasant, sheltered from the wind. My mind is serene: so rain forth, heavens, if you wish.

The heavens rain like a sweet song; my hut is roofed and pleasant, sheltered from the wind. My mind is immersed in my body: so rain forth, heavens, if you wish.

The heavens rain like a sweet song; my hut is roofed and pleasant, sheltered from the wind. I meditate there, diligent: so rain forth, heavens, if you wish.

The heavens rain like a sweet song; my hut is roofed and pleasant, sheltered from the wind. I dwell there without a partner: so rain forth, heavens, if you wish.

I plunged into the Añjana wood and made a hut to live in. I’ve attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

“Who is in this hut?” “A monk is in this hut, free of lust, his mind serene. Reverend, you should know this: your hut wasn’t built in vain.”

This was your old hut, but you still want a new hut. Let go of hope for a hut, monk! A new hut will only bring more suffering.

My hut is pleasing, delightful, a gift given in faith. I’ve no need of girls: go, ladies, to those in need!

I went forth out of faith and built a hut in the wilderness. I’m heedful, ardent, aware, and mindful.

My wishes—the purpose I had for entering this hut—came true. Seeking knowledge and liberation, I gave up the tendency to conceit.

One who sees sees those who see and those who don’t. One who doesn’t see sees neither.

We dwell alone in the wilderness, like a log dumped in a forest. Lots of people are jealous of me, as beings in hell are of one going to heaven.

They fall, collapsed and fallen; greedy, they return. The work is done, the joyful is enjoyed, happiness is found through happiness.

I arose from the one named after a tree; I was born of the one whose banner shines. The banner killer has destroyed the great banner, by means of the banner itself.

Vaccha has tossed away what he built over many years. Sitting comfortably, uplifted with joy, he teaches this to householders.

He counseled me, the great hero, the one who has gone beyond all things. When I heard his teaching I stayed close by him, mindful. I’ve attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

My defilements have been burnt away <j>by practicing absorption— rebirth into all states of existence is eradicated, transmigration through births is finished, now there’ll be no more future lives.

A sage of higher consciousness, diligent, training in the ways of sagacity: there are no sorrows for the unaffected, calm and ever mindful.

Hearing the sweet Dhamma taught by the master, all-knowing, of superb knowledge, I’ve entered the path to realize freedom from death— he is the expert on the road to sanctuary from the yoke.

Ethical conduct is best in this life, but one with wisdom is supreme. Someone with both virtue and wisdom is victorious among men and gods.

For one who sees the meaning <j>so very subtle and fine; who is skilled in thought and placid in manner; who has cultivated mature ethics, it’s not hard to gain extinguishment.

A young bamboo is hard to extract when the point is grown and become all woody. That’s how I feel with the wife <j>who was arranged for me. Give me permission—now I’ve gone forth.

Seeing an old person, and one suffering from disease, and a corpse come to the end of life, I went forth, becoming a wanderer, and giving up the pleasures of the senses.

Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness, and doubt are not found in a monk at all.

Good is the sight of those who’ve practiced well: doubt is cut off and intelligence grows— even a fool grows wise! That’s why it’s good to meet good people.

Settle down when others spring up; spring up when others settle down. Remain when others have departed; don’t delight when others delight.

In the past my mind wandered how it wished, where it liked, as it pleased. Now I’ll carefully guide it, as a trainer with a hook guides a rutting elephant.

Transmigrating through countless rebirths, I’ve journeyed without reward. I’ve suffered, but now the mass of suffering has fallen away.

All my lust is given up, all my hate is eradicated, all my delusion is gone: I’m cooled, quenched.

Any deeds I have done, a little or a lot, are all completely exhausted: now there’ll be no more future lives.

Any bad things I’ve done in previous lives, are to be experienced right here, not in any other place.

Go, child, to any place where there’s plenty of food, where it’s safe and free of peril— may you not be overcome by sorrow!

Meditate diligently, Sīha, tireless all day and night. Develop skillful qualities, and quickly discard this bag of bones.

Sleeping all night, happily socializing by day, when will the simpleton make an end of suffering?

Skilled in the patterns of the mind, understanding the nectar of seclusion, practicing absorption, alert, mindful: such a person would realize pleasure not of the flesh.

Elsewhere there are many other doctrines; paths that, unlike this, don’t lead to extinguishment. For the Buddha himself instructs the Saṅgha; the Teacher shows the palms of his hands.

The aggregates are seen as they truly are; all rebirths are shattered; transmigration through births is finished; now there’ll be no more future lives.

I was able to lift myself up from the water to the shore. While being swept away by the great flood, I penetrated the truths.

I’ve crossed the bogs, I’ve avoided the chasms, I’m freed from floods and ties, and I’ve wiped out all conceit.

The five aggregates are fully understood; they remain, but their root is cut. Transmigration through births is finished, now there’ll be no more future lives.

What I consumed today is considered better than delicious grain of a hundred flavors— the Dhamma taught by the Buddha, Gotama of infinite vision.

One whose defilements have ended; who’s not attached to food; whose range is the liberation of the signless and the empty: their track is hard to trace, like birds in the sky.

Sensual pleasures are suffering, Eraka! Sensual pleasures aren’t happiness, Eraka! One who enjoys sensual pleasures enjoys suffering, Eraka! One who doesn’t enjoy sensual pleasures doesn’t enjoy suffering, Eraka!

Homage to that Blessed One, the glorious Sakyan! Having reached the best, he beautifully taught the best teaching.

I’m blind, my eyes are ruined, I’m traveling a desolate road. Even if I have to crawl I’ll keep going— though not with wicked companions.

I offered a single flower and then amused myself in heavens for 800 million years; with what’s left over I’ve become quenched.