1.1“Nikkhantaṁ vata maṁ santaṁ,“Now that I’ve renounced1.2agārasmānagāriyaṁ;the lay life for homelessness,1.3Vitakkā upadhāvanti,I’m overrun1.4pagabbhā kaṇhato ime.by the rude thoughts of the Dark One.

2.1Uggaputtā mahissāsā,Even if a thousand warrior chiefs and great archers,2.2sikkhitā daḷhadhammino;well trained, with strong bows,2.3Samantā parikireyyuṁ,were to completely surround me;2.4sahassaṁ apalāyinaṁ.I would never flee.

3.1Sacepi ettakā bhiyyo,And even if women come,3.2āgamissanti itthiyo;many more than that,3.3Neva maṁ byādhayissanti,they won’t bother me,3.4dhamme samhi patiṭṭhito.for I stand firm in the teaching.

4.1Sakkhī hi me sutaṁ etaṁ,I heard with my own ears4.2buddhassādiccabandhuno;from the Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun,4.3Nibbānagamanaṁ maggaṁ,about the path going to extinguishment;4.4tattha me nirato mano.that’s what delights my mind.

5.1Evañce maṁ viharantaṁ,Wicked One, if you come near me5.2pāpima upagacchasi;as I meditate like this,5.3Tathā maccu karissāmi,I’ll make sure that you, Death,5.4na me maggampi dakkhasi.won’t even see the path I take.”

6.1Aratiñca ratiñca pahāya,“Giving up desire and discontent,6.2Sabbaso gehasitañca vitakkaṁ;along with all thought of domestic life,6.3Vanathaṁ na kareyya kuhiñci,they wouldn’t get snarled in anything;6.4Nibbanatho avanatho sa bhikkhu.unsnarled, free of snarls: that’s a real mendicant.

7.1Yamidha pathaviñca vehāsaṁ,Whatever here is included in form—7.2Rūpagataṁ jagatogadhaṁ kiñci;on earth, in the sky, or in planet’s deep—7.3Parijīyati sabbamaniccaṁ,wears out, it is all impermanent:7.4Evaṁ samecca caranti mutattā.the self-examined live having comprehended this.

8.1Upadhīsu janā gadhitāse,People are bound to their attachments,8.2Diṭṭhasute paṭighe ca mute ca;to impingement of the seen and heard, <j>and to what is thought.8.3Ettha vinodaya chandamanejo,Unstirred, dispel desire for these things;8.4Yo hettha na limpati muni tamāhu.for one called ‘a sage’ does not cling to them.

9.1Atha saṭṭhisitā savitakkā,Trapped in the sixty wrong views, <j>full of their own opinions,9.2Puthujjanatāya adhammā niviṭṭhā;ordinary people are fixed in wrong principles.9.3Na ca vaggagatassa kuhiñci,But that mendicant wouldn’t join a sect,9.4No pana duṭṭhullagāhī sa bhikkhu.still less would they utter lewd speech.

10.1Dabbo cirarattasamāhito,Proficient, long serene,10.2Akuhako nipako apihālu;free of deceit, alert, without envy,10.3Santaṁ padaṁ ajjhagamā muni,the sage has reached the state of peace;10.4Paṭicca parinibbuto kaṅkhati kālaṁ.quenched, he awaits his time.”

11.1Mānaṁ pajahassu gotama,“Give up conceit, Gotama!11.2Mānapathañca jahassu asesaṁ;Completely abandon the different kinds of conceit!11.3Mānapathamhi sa mucchito,Besotted with the different kinds of conceit,11.4Vippaṭisārīhuvā cirarattaṁ.you’ve had regrets for a long time.

12.1Makkhena makkhitā pajā,Smeared by smears and slain by conceit,12.2Mānahatā nirayaṁ papatanti;people fall into hell.12.3Socanti janā cirarattaṁ,When people slain by conceit are reborn in hell,12.4Mānahatā nirayaṁ upapannā.they grieve for a long time.

13.1Na hi socati bhikkhu kadāci,But a mendicant who practices rightly,13.2Maggajino sammā paṭipanno;a path-victor, never grieves.13.3Kittiñca sukhañcānubhoti,They enjoy happiness and a good reputation,13.4Dhammadasoti tamāhu tathattaṁ.and they rightly call him a ‘Seer of Truth’.

14.1Tasmā akhilo idha padhānavā,So being not hard-hearted, but energetic,14.2Nīvaraṇāni pahāya visuddho;with hindrances given up, pure;14.3Mānañca pahāya asesaṁ,and having completely given up conceit,14.4Vijjāyantakaro samitāvī”.the one who makes an end with knowledge <j>is assuaged.”

15.1“Kāmarāgena ḍayhāmi,“I’ve got a burning desire for pleasure;15.2cittaṁ me pariḍayhati;my mind is on fire!15.3Sādhu nibbāpanaṁ brūhi,Please, out of compassion, Gotama,15.4anukampāya gotama”.tell me how to quench the flames.”

16.1“Saññāya vipariyesā,“Your mind is on fire16.2cittaṁ te pariḍayhati;because of a perversion of perception.16.3Nimittaṁ parivajjehi,Turn away from the sign16.4subhaṁ rāgūpasaṁhitaṁ. (…)that’s attractive, provoking lust.

17.1Asubhāya cittaṁ bhāvehi,With your mind unified and serene,17.2ekaggaṁ susamāhitaṁ;meditate on the ugly aspects of the body.17.3Sati kāyagatā tyatthu,With mindfulness immersed in the body,17.4nibbidābahulo bhava.be full of disillusionment.

18.1Animittañca bhāvehi,Meditate on the signless,18.2mānānusayamujjaha;give up the tendency to conceit;18.3Tato mānābhisamayā,and when you comprehend conceit,18.4upasanto carissasi”.you will live at peace.”

19.1“Tameva vācaṁ bhāseyya,“Speak only those words19.2yāyattānaṁ na tāpaye;that do not hurt yourself19.3Pare ca na vihiṁseyya,nor harm others;19.4sā ve vācā subhāsitā.such speech is truly well spoken.

20.1Piyavācameva bhāseyya,Speak only pleasing words,20.2yā vācā paṭinanditā;words gladly welcomed.20.3Yaṁ anādāya pāpāni,Pleasing words are those20.4paresaṁ bhāsate piyaṁ.that bring nothing bad to others.

21.1Saccaṁ ve amatā vācā,Truth itself is undying speech:21.2esa dhammo sanantano;this is an ancient teaching.21.3Sacce atthe ca dhamme ca,Good people say the teaching and meaning21.4āhu santo patiṭṭhitā.are grounded in truth.

22.1Yaṁ buddho bhāsati vācaṁ,The words spoken by the Buddha22.2khemaṁ nibbānapattiyā;for finding the sanctuary, extinguishment,22.3Dukkhassantakiriyāya,for making an end of suffering:22.4sā ve vācānamuttamā”.this really is the best kind of speech.”

23.1“Gambhīrapañño medhāvī,“Deep in wisdom, intelligent,23.2maggāmaggassa kovido;expert in the path and what is not the path;23.3Sāriputto mahāpañño,Sāriputta, so greatly wise,23.4dhammaṁ deseti bhikkhunaṁ.teaches Dhamma to the mendicants.

24.1Saṅkhittenapi deseti,He teaches in brief,24.2vitthārenapi bhāsati;or he speaks at length.24.3Sālikāyiva nigghoso,His call, like a myna bird,24.4paṭibhānaṁ udiyyati.overflows with inspiration.

25.1Tassa taṁ desayantassa,While he teaches25.2suṇanti madhuraṁ giraṁ;the mendicants listen to his sweet voice,25.3Sarena rajanīyena,sounding attractive,25.4savanīyena vaggunā;clear and graceful.25.5Udaggacittā muditā,They listen joyfully,25.6sotaṁ odhenti bhikkhavo”.their hearts elated.”

26.1“Ajja pannarase visuddhiyā,“Today, on the fifteenth day sabbath,26.2Bhikkhū pañcasatā samāgatā;five hundred monks have gathered together <j>to purify their precepts.26.3Saṁyojanabandhanacchidā,These untroubled sages <j>have cut off their fetters and bonds,26.4Anīghā khīṇapunabbhavā isī.they will not be reborn again.

27.1Cakkavattī yathā rājā,Just as a wheel-rolling monarch27.2amaccaparivārito;surrounded by ministers27.3Samantā anupariyeti,travels all around this27.4sāgarantaṁ mahiṁ imaṁ.land that’s girt by sea.

28.1Evaṁ vijitasaṅgāmaṁ,So disciples with the three knowledges,28.2satthavāhaṁ anuttaraṁ;conquerors of death,28.3Sāvakā payirupāsanti,revere the winner of the battle,28.4tevijjā maccuhāyino.the unsurpassed caravan leader.

29.1Sabbe bhagavato puttā,All are sons of the Blessed One—29.2palāpettha na vijjati;there is no rubbish here.29.3Taṇhāsallassa hantāraṁ,I bow to the Kinsman of the Sun,29.4vande ādiccabandhunaṁ.destroyer of the dart of craving.”

30.1Parosahassaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ,“Over a thousand mendicants30.2sugataṁ payirupāsati;revere the Holy One30.3Desentaṁ virajaṁ dhammaṁ,as he teaches the immaculate Dhamma,30.4nibbānaṁ akutobhayaṁ.extinguishment, fearing nothing from any quarter.

31.1Suṇanti dhammaṁ vimalaṁ,They listen to the immaculate Dhamma31.2sammāsambuddhadesitaṁ;taught by the fully awakened Buddha;31.3Sobhati vata sambuddho,the Buddha shines31.4bhikkhusaṅghapurakkhato.at the fore of the mendicant Saṅgha.

32.1‘Nāganāmo’si bhagavā,Blessed One, your name is ‘Giant’,32.2isīnaṁ isisattamo;seventh of the seers.¹32.3Mahāmeghova hutvāna,You are like a great cloud32.4sāvake abhivassasi.that rains on your disciples.²

33.1Divā vihārā nikkhamma,I’ve left my day’s meditation,33.2satthudassanakamyatā;out of desire to see the Teacher.33.3Sāvako te mahāvīra,Great hero, your disciple Vaṅgīsa33.4pāde vandati vaṅgiso”.bows at your feet.”

34.1“Ummaggapathaṁ mārassa,“Having overcome Māra’s wrong path,³34.2Abhibhuyya carati pabhijja khīlāni;you wander with hard-heartedness dissolved.⁴34.3Taṁ passatha bandhapamuñcakaraṁ,See him, the liberator from bonds,⁵34.4Asitaṁva bhāgaso pavibhajja.dissecting the unattached section by section.⁶

35.1Oghassa hi nitaraṇatthaṁ,You have explained in many ways35.2Anekavihitaṁ maggaṁ akkhāsi;the path to cross the flood.35.3Tasmiñca amate akkhāte,The Seers of Truth stand unfaltering⁷35.4Dhammadasā ṭhitā asaṁhīrā.in the freedom from death explained by you.

36.1Pajjotakaro ativijjha,As the bringer of light who has pierced the truth,36.2Sabbaṭhitīnaṁ atikkamamaddasa;you’ve seen what lies beyond all planes.⁸36.3Ñatvā ca sacchikatvā ca,When you saw and realized this for yourself,36.4Aggaṁ so desayi dasaddhānaṁ.you taught it first to the group of five.⁹

37.1Evaṁ sudesite dhamme,When the Dhamma has been so well taught,37.2Ko pamādo vijānataṁ dhammaṁ;how could those who know it be negligent?37.3Tasmā hi tassa bhagavato sāsane,That’s why, being diligent, we should always train37.4Appamatto sadā namassamanusikkhe”.respectfully in the Buddha’s teaching.”

38.1“Buddhānubuddho yo thero,“The senior monk awakened after the Buddha,¹⁰38.2koṇḍañño tibbanikkamo;Koṇḍañña, is keenly energetic.¹¹38.3Lābhī sukhavihārānaṁ,He regularly gains38.4vivekānaṁ abhiṇhaso.the blissful meditations of seclusion.

39.1Yaṁ sāvakena pattabbaṁ,Whatever can be attained by a disciple39.2satthu sāsanakārinā;who does the Teacher’s bidding,39.3Sabbassa taṁ anuppattaṁ,he has attained it all,39.4appamattassa sikkhato.through diligently training himself.

40.1Mahānubhāvo tevijjo,With great power and the three knowledges,40.2cetopariyakovido;expert in encompassing the minds of others,40.3Koṇḍañño buddhadāyādo,Koṇḍañña, the heir to the Buddha,40.4pāde vandati satthuno”.bows at the Teacher’s feet.”

41.1“Nagassa passe āsīnaṁ,“As the sage, who has gone beyond suffering,41.2muniṁ dukkhassa pāraguṁ;sits upon the mountain slope,41.3Sāvakā payirupāsanti,he is revered by disciples with the three knowledges,41.4tevijjā maccuhāyino.conquerors of death.

42.1Cetasā anupariyeti,Moggallāna, of great psychic power,42.2moggallāno mahiddhiko;encompasses with his mind,42.3Cittaṁ nesaṁ samanvesaṁ,scrutinizing their minds,42.4vippamuttaṁ nirūpadhiṁ.liberated, free of attachments.

43.1Evaṁ sabbaṅgasampannaṁ,That is how those endowed <j>with many fine qualities¹²43.2muniṁ dukkhassa pāraguṁ;revere Gotama,43.3Anekākārasampannaṁ,the sage gone beyond suffering,43.4payirupāsanti gotamaṁ”.perfect in every respect.”

44.1“Cando yathā vigatavalāhake nabhe,“Like the moon on a cloudless night,44.2Virocati vītamalova bhāṇumā;like the shining immaculate sun,44.3Evampi aṅgīrasa tvaṁ mahāmuni,so too Aṅgīrasa, O great sage,44.4Atirocasi yasasā sabbalokaṁ”.your glory outshines the entire world.”

45.1“Kāveyyamattā vicarimha pubbe,“We used to wander, drunk on poetry,¹³45.2Gāmā gāmaṁ purā puraṁ;from village to village, town to town.45.3Athaddasāma sambuddhaṁ,Then we saw the Buddha,45.4Sabbadhammāna pāraguṁ.who has gone beyond all things.

46.1So me dhammamadesesi,He, the sage gone beyond suffering,46.2muni dukkhassa pāragū;taught me the Dhamma.46.3Dhammaṁ sutvā pasīdimha,When we heard the Dhamma, <j>we became confident—46.4saddhā no udapajjatha.faith arose in us.

47.1Tassāhaṁ vacanaṁ sutvā,Hearing him speak of47.2khandhe āyatanāni ca;the aggregates, the sense-fields,47.3Dhātuyo ca viditvāna,and the elements, I understood;47.4pabbajiṁ anagāriyaṁ.and then I went forth to homelessness.

48.1Bahūnaṁ vata atthāya,It is for the benefit of many48.2uppajjanti tathāgatā;that the Realized Ones arise—48.3Itthīnaṁ purisānañca,the men and women48.4ye te sāsanakārakā.who follow their instructions.

49.1Tesaṁ kho vata atthāya,It is truly for their benefit49.2bodhimajjhagamā muni;that the sage realized awakening—49.3Bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnañca,for the monks and for the nuns49.4ye nirāmagataddasā.who see that they’ve reached certainty.

50.1Sudesitā cakkhumatā,The Clear-eyed One, the Buddha,50.2buddhenādiccabandhunā;the Kinsman of the Sun,50.3Cattāri ariyasaccāni,has well taught the four noble truths50.4anukampāya pāṇinaṁ.out of sympathy for living creatures.

51.1Dukkhaṁ dukkhasamuppādaṁ,Suffering, suffering’s origin,51.2Dukkhassa ca atikkamaṁ;suffering’s transcendence,51.3Ariyaṁ caṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ,and the noble eightfold path51.4Dukkhūpasamagāminaṁ.that leads to the stilling of suffering.

52.1Evamete tathā vuttā,As these things were taught,52.2diṭṭhā me te yathā tathā;so I have seen them.52.3Sadattho me anuppatto,I’ve realized my heart’s goal,52.4kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

53.1Svāgataṁ vata me āsi,It was so welcome for me53.2mama buddhassa santike;to be in the presence of the Buddha.53.3Suvibhattesu dhammesu,Of the well-explained teachings,53.4yaṁ seṭṭhaṁ tadupāgamiṁ.I arrived at the best.

54.1Abhiññāpāramippatto,I’ve realized the perfection of direct knowledge;54.2sotadhātu visodhitā;my clairaudience is purified;54.3Tevijjo iddhipattomhi,I am master of three knowledges, <j>attained in psychic power,54.4cetopariyakovido”.I’m expert at reading the minds of others.”

55.1“Pucchāmi satthāramanomapaññaṁ,“I ask the Teacher unrivaled in wisdom,55.2Diṭṭheva dhamme yo vicikicchānaṁ chettā;who has cut off all doubts in this very life:55.3Aggāḷave kālamakāsi bhikkhu,a monk has died at Āḷavī’s premier shrine,55.4Ñāto yasassī abhinibbutatto.who was well-known, famous, and quenched.

56.1Nigrodhakappo iti tassa nāmaṁ,Nigrodhakappa was his name;56.2Tayā kataṁ bhagavā brāhmaṇassa;it was given to that brahmin by you, Blessed One.56.3So taṁ namassaṁ acari mutyapekho,He wandered in your honor, yearning for freedom,56.4Āraddhavīriyo daḷhadhammadassī.energetic, a resolute Seer of Truth.

57.1Taṁ sāvakaṁ sakka mayampi sabbe,O Sakyan, All-seer,57.2Aññātumicchāma samantacakkhu;we all wish to know about that disciple.57.3Samavaṭṭhitā no savanāya sotā,Our ears are eager to hear,57.4Tuvaṁ no satthā tvamanuttarosi.for you are the most excellent teacher.

58.1Chinda no vicikicchaṁ brūhi metaṁ,Cut off our doubt, declare this to us;58.2Parinibbutaṁ vedaya bhūripañña;your wisdom is vast, tell us of his quenching!58.3Majjheva no bhāsa samantacakkhu,All-seer, speak among us,58.4Sakkova devāna sahassanetto.like the thousand-eyed Sakka <j>in the midst of the gods!

59.1Ye keci ganthā idha mohamaggā,Whatever ties there are, or paths to delusion,59.2Aññāṇapakkhā vicikicchaṭhānā;or things on the side of unknowing, <j>or that are bases of doubt59.3Tathāgataṁ patvā na te bhavanti,vanish on reaching a Realized One,59.4Cakkhuñhi etaṁ paramaṁ narānaṁ.for his eye is the best of all people’s.

60.1No ce hi jātu puriso kilese,If no man were ever to disperse corruptions,60.2Vāto yathā abbhaghanaṁ vihāne;like the wind dispersing the stormclouds,60.3Tamovassa nivuto sabbaloko,darkness would shroud the whole world;60.4Jotimantopi na pabhāseyyuṁ.not even brilliant men would shine.

61.1Dhīrā ca pajjotakarā bhavanti,The attentive are bringers of light;61.2Taṁ taṁ ahaṁ vīra tatheva maññe;my hero, that is what I think of you.61.3Vipassinaṁ jānamupāgamimha,We’ve come for your discernment and knowledge:61.4Parisāsu no āvikarohi kappaṁ.here in this assembly, declare to us about Kappāyana.

62.1Khippaṁ giraṁ eraya vaggu vagguṁ,Swiftly send forth your sweet, sweet voice,62.2Haṁsova paggayha saṇikaṁ nikūja;like a goose stretching its neck, gently honking,62.3Bindussarena suvikappitena,lucid-flowing, with lovely tone:62.4Sabbeva te ujjugatā suṇoma.alert, we all listen to you.

63.1Pahīnajātimaraṇaṁ asesaṁ,You have entirely abandoned birth and death;63.2Niggayha dhonaṁ vadessāmi dhammaṁ;curbed and pure, I urge you, speak the Dhamma!63.3Na kāmakāro hi puthujjanānaṁ,For ordinary people <j>have no wish-granter,¹⁴63.4Saṅkheyyakāro ca tathāgatānaṁ.but Realized Ones <j>have a comprehensibility-granter.¹⁵

64.1Sampannaveyyākaraṇaṁ tavedaṁ,Your answer is definitive, and we will adopt it,64.2Samujjupaññassa samuggahītaṁ;for you have perfect understanding.64.3Ayamañjali pacchimo suppaṇāmito,We raise our cupped palms one last time,64.4Mā mohayī jānamanomapañña.one of unrivaled wisdom, <j>don’t deliberately confuse us.

65.1Paroparaṁ ariyadhammaṁ viditvā,Knowing the teaching of the noble ones <j>from top to bottom,65.2Mā mohayī jānamanomavīriya;one of unrivaled energy, <j>don’t deliberately confuse us.65.3Vāriṁ yathā ghammani ghammatatto,Like a man baking in the summer sun <j>would long for water,65.4Vācābhikaṅkhāmi sutaṁ pavassa.I long for your voice, so let the sound rain forth.

66.1Yadatthikaṁ brahmacariyaṁ acarī,Surely Kappāyana did not <j>lead the spiritual life in vain?66.2Kappāyano kaccissataṁ amoghaṁ;Did he realize quenching,66.3Nibbāyi so ādu saupādiseso,or did he still have a residue?66.4Yathā vimutto ahu taṁ suṇoma”.Let us hear what kind of liberation he had!”

67.1“Acchecchi taṇhaṁ idha nāmarūpe,“He cut off craving for name and form right here,”67.2(iti bhagavā)said the Buddha,67.3Kaṇhassa sotaṁ dīgharattānusayitaṁ;“the river of darkness that had long lain within him.67.4Atāri jātiṁ maraṇaṁ asesaṁ,He has entirely crossed over birth and death.”67.5Iccabravi bhagavā pañcaseṭṭho”.So declared the Blessed One, the leader of the five.

68.1“Esa sutvā pasīdāmi,“Now that I have heard your words,68.2vaco te isisattama;seventh of seers, I am confident.68.3Amoghaṁ kira me puṭṭhaṁ,My question, it seems, was not in vain,68.4na maṁ vañcesi brāhmaṇo.the brahmin did not deceive me.

69.1Yathā vādī tathā kārī,As he said, so he did—69.2ahu buddhassa sāvako;he was a disciple of the Buddha.69.3Acchecchi maccuno jālaṁ,He cut the net of death the deceiver,69.4tataṁ māyāvino daḷhaṁ.so extended and strong.

70.1Addasa bhagavā ādiṁ,Blessed One, Kappāyana saw70.2upādānassa kappiyo;the starting point of grasping.70.3Accagā vata kappāno,He has indeed gone far beyond70.4maccudheyyaṁ suduttaraṁ.Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

71.1Taṁ devadevaṁ vandāmi,God of gods, best of men, I bow to you,71.2puttaṁ te dvipaduttama;and to your son,71.3Anujātaṁ mahāvīraṁ,who followed your example, a great hero;71.4nāgaṁ nāgassa orasan”ti.a giant, bosom son of a giant.”

71.5Itthaṁ sudaṁ āyasmā vaṅgīso thero gāthāyo abhāsitthāti.That is how these verses were recited by the senior venerable Vaṅgīsa.

71.6Mahānipāto niṭṭhito.The Great Book is Finished

72.0Tatruddānaṁ

72.1Sattatimhi nipātamhi,72.2vaṅgīso paṭibhāṇavā;72.3Ekova thero natthañño,72.4gāthāyo ekasattatīti.

72.5Niṭṭhitā theragāthāyo.

73.0Tatruddānaṁ

73.1Sahassaṁ honti tā gāthā,73.2tīṇi saṭṭhisatāni ca;73.3Therā ca dve satā saṭṭhi,73.4cattāro ca pakāsitā.

74.1Sīhanādaṁ naditvāna,74.2buddhaputtā anāsavā;74.3Khemantaṁ pāpuṇitvāna,74.4aggikhandhāva nibbutāti.

74.5Theragāthāpāḷi niṭṭhitā.The Verses of the Senior Monks are finished.