Saṅkiccattheragāthā

Theragāthā 11.1

Verses of the Senior Monks 11.1

Ekādasakanipāta

The Book of the Elevens

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Saṅkiccattheragāthā

Saṅkicca

“Kiṁ tavattho vane tāta,

“What good does it do you to be in the grove, my dear?

ujjuhānova pāvuse;

You’re like a little bird in the monsoon!

Verambhā ramaṇīyā te,

The city of Verambhā is nice for you—

paviveko hi jhāyinaṁ”.

seclusion is for meditators.”

“Yathā abbhāni verambho,

“Just as the wind in Verambhā

vāto nudati pāvuse;

scatters the monsoon clouds as they pour down,

Saññā me abhikiranti,

so the city scatters

vivekapaṭisaññutā.

my perception of seclusion.”

Apaṇḍaro aṇḍasambhavo,

“It’s all black and born of an egg—

Sīvathikāya niketacāriko;

the crow whose abode is the charnel ground

Uppādayateva me satiṁ,

rouses my mindfulness,

Sandehasmiṁ virāganissitaṁ.

based on dispassion for the body.”

Yañca aññe na rakkhanti,

“He who is not guarded by others,

yo ca aññe na rakkhati;

and who does not guard others,

Sa ve bhikkhu sukhaṁ seti,

truly sleeps at ease, mendicant,

kāmesu anapekkhavā.

unconcerned for sensual pleasures.”

Acchodikā puthusilā,

“The water’s clear and the rocks are broad,

gonaṅgulamigāyutā;

monkeys and deer are all around;

Ambusevālasañchannā,

festooned with dewy moss,

te selā ramayanti maṁ.

these rocky crags delight me!

Vasitaṁ me araññesu,

I’ve stayed in the wilderness,

kandarāsu guhāsu ca;

in caves and caverns

Senāsanesu pantesu,

and remote lodgings

vāḷamiganisevite.

frequented by beasts of prey.

‘Ime haññantu vajjhantu,

‘May these beings be killed!

dukkhaṁ pappontu pāṇino’;

May they be slaughtered! May they suffer!’—

Saṅkappaṁ nābhijānāmi,

I’m not aware of having any such

anariyaṁ dosasaṁhitaṁ.

ignoble, hateful thoughts.

Pariciṇṇo mayā satthā,

I’ve served the Teacher

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ;

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Ohito garuko bhāro,

The heavy burden is laid down,

bhavanetti samūhatā.

the leash to existence is eradicated.

Yassa catthāya pabbajito,

I’ve attained the goal

agārasmānagāriyaṁ;

for the sake of which I went forth

So me attho anuppatto,

from the lay life to homelessness—

sabbasaṁyojanakkhayo.

the ending of all fetters.

Nābhinandāmi maraṇaṁ,

I don’t long for death;

nābhinandāmi jīvitaṁ;

I don’t long for life;

Kālañca paṭikaṅkhāmi,

I await my time,

nibbisaṁ bhatako yathā.

like a worker waiting for their wages.

Nābhinandāmi maraṇaṁ,

I don’t long for death;

nābhinandāmi jīvitaṁ;

I don’t long for life;

Kālañca paṭikaṅkhāmi,

I await my time,

sampajāno patissato”ti.

aware and mindful.”

… Saṅkicco thero …

Ekādasakanipāto niṭṭhito.

Tatruddānaṁ

Saṅkiccathero ekova,

katakicco anāsavo;

Ekādasanipātamhi,

gāthā ekādaseva cāti.