Theragatha I

For free distribution only, as a gift of Dhamma

Contents (selected suttas):

• 1. Subhuti
• 2. Mahakotthika
• 3. Kankharevata
• 7. Bhalliya
• 14. Vanavaccha's pupil
• 22. Cittaka
• 32. Suppiya
• 43. Sumangala
• 49. Ramaneyyaka
• 56. Kutiviharin
• 68. Ekuddaniya
• 104. Khitaka
• 113. Vanavaccha

I.1 -- Subhuti

My hut is roofed, comfortable,
   free of drafts;
my mind, well-centered,
   set free.
I remain ardent.
   So, rain-deva.
   Go ahead & rain.

I.2 -- Mahakotthika

Calmed, restrained,
giving counsel unruffled,
he lifts off evil states of mind --
   as the breeze,
   a leaf from a tree.

I.3 -- Kankharevata

   See this:
the discernment
of the Tathagatas,
like a fire ablaze in the night,
giving light, giving eyes,
to those who come,
subduing their doubt.

I.7 -- Bhalliya

Who scatters the troops
of the King of Death --
as a great flood,
a very weak bridge made of reeds --
   is victorious,
for his fears are dispersed.
   He's tamed,
   unbound,
   steadfast in himself.

I.14 -- Vanavaccha's pupil

My preceptor said to me:
   Let's go from here, Sivaka.
My body stays in the village,
my mind has gone to the wilds.
Even though I'm lying down,
   I go.
There's no tying down
   one who knows.

I.22 -- Cittaka

   Peacocks,
crested, blue, with gorgeous necks,
cry out in Karamvi,
thrilled by the cold wind.
They awaken the sleeper
   to meditate.

I.32 -- Suppiya

I'll make a trade:
aging for the Ageless,
burning for the Unbound:
   the highest peace,
   the unexcelled rest
      from the yoke.

I.43 -- Sumangala

So freed! So freed!
So thoroughly freed am I
from three crooked things:
my sickles, my shovels, my plows.
Even if they were here,
      right here,
I'd be done with them,
      done.
Meditate, Sumangala.
Meditate, Sumangala.
Sumangala, stay heedful.

I.49 -- Ramaneyyaka

Even with all the whistles & whistling,
the calls of the birds,
this, my mind, doesn't waver,
for my delight is in
      oneness.

I.56 -- Kutiviharin

Who's in the hut?
A monk's in the hut --
   free from passion,
   with well-centered mind.
Know this, my friend:
   The hut you built
   wasn't wasted.

I.68 -- Ekuddaniya

Exalted in mind & heedful:
a sage trained in sagacity's ways.
He has no sorrows, one who is Such, [*]
calmed & ever mindful.

*tadi: See the Glossary

I.104 -- Khitaka

How light my body!
Touched by abundant
rapture & bliss,
-- like a cotton tuft
borne on the breeze --
it seems to be floating
       -- my body!

I.113 -- Vanavaccha

With clear waters &
   massive boulders,
frequented by monkeys &
   deer,
covered with moss &
   water weeds,
those peaks refresh me.