Khuddaka Nikaya - Theragatha 5

Khuddaka Nikaya - Theragatha 5

Thag 5.8
Vakkali
Translated from the Pali by
Thanissaro BhikkhuPTS: vv. 350-354



Source: Transcribed from a file provided by the translator.



Copyright © 2000 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Access to Insight edition © 2000
For free distribution. This work may be republished, reformatted,
reprinted, and redistributed in any medium. It is the author's wish,
however, that any such republication and redistribution be made available
to the public on a free and unrestricted basis and that translations and
other derivative works be clearly marked as such.



Stricken by sharp, wind-like pains,
you, monk, living in the forest grove
— harsh, with limited range for alms —
what, what will you do?

Suffusing my body
with abundant rapture & joy,
& enduring what's harsh,
I'll stay in the grove.

Developing the frames of reference,
strengths, faculties,
the factors for Awakening,
I'll stay in the grove.

Reflecting on those who are resolute,
their persistence aroused,
constantly firm in their effort,
united in concord,
I'll stay in the grove.

Recollecting the One Self-awakened,
self-tamed & centered,
untiring both day & night,
I'll stay
in the grove.


Thag 5.9
Vijitasena

I shall fasten you, mind, like an elephant at a small gate. I shall not incite
you to evil, you net of sensual pleasure, body-born.
When fastened, you will not go, like an elephant not finding the gate open.
Witch-mind, you will not wander again, and again, using force, delighting in
evil.
As the strong hook-holder makes an untamed elephant, newly taken, turn against
its will, so shall I make you turn.
As the excellent charioteer, skilled in the taming of excellent horses, tames a
thoroughbred, so shall I, standing firm in the five powers, tame you.
I shall bind you with mindfulness; with purified self shall cleanse [you].
Restrained by the yoke of energy you will not go far from here, mind.


Thag 5.10
Yasadatta

Intent on quibbling,
the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

He's as far from the True Dhamma
as the ground is from the sky.

Intent on quibbling,
the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

He wanes from the True Dhamma,
like the moon in the dark half of the month.

Intent on quibbling,
the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

He withers away in the True Dhamma,
like a fish in next to no water.

Intent on quibbling,
the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

He doesn't grow in the True Dhamma,
like a rotten seed in a field.

But whoever hears the Conqueror's teaching
with guarded intent,
doing away with effluents
— all —
realizing the unshakable,
attaining the foremost peace,
is — free from effluent —
totally unbound.