Sīlavattheragāthā

Theragāthā 12.1

Verses of the Senior Monks 12.1

Dvādasakanipāta

The Book of the Twelves

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Sīlavattheragāthā

Sīlava

“Sīlamevidha sikkhetha,

One should train just in ethical conduct,

asmiṁ loke susikkhitaṁ;

for in this world, when ethical conduct is

Sīlañhi sabbasampattiṁ,

cultivated and well-trained,

upanāmeti sevitaṁ.

it provides all success.

Sīlaṁ rakkheyya medhāvī,

Wishing for three kinds of happiness—

patthayāno tayo sukhe;

praise, prosperity,

Pasaṁsaṁ vittilābhañca,

and to delight in heaven after passing away—

pecca sagge pamodanaṁ.

the wise would take care of their ethics.

Sīlavā hi bahū mitte,

The well-behaved have many friends,

saññamenādhigacchati;

because of their self-restraint.

Dussīlo pana mittehi,

But one lacking ethics, of bad conduct,

dhaṁsate pāpamācaraṁ.

drives away their friends.

Avaṇṇañca akittiñca,

A man whose ethics are bad has

dussīlo labhate naro;

ill-repute and infamy.

Vaṇṇaṁ kittiṁ pasaṁsañca,

One who is ethical always has

sadā labhati sīlavā.

a good reputation, fame, and praise.

Ādi sīlaṁ patiṭṭhā ca,

Ethical conduct is the starting point and foundation;

kalyāṇānañca mātukaṁ;

the mother at the head

Pamukhaṁ sabbadhammānaṁ,

of all good things:

tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye.

that’s why you should purify your ethics.

Velā ca saṁvaraṁ sīlaṁ,

Ethics provide a boundary and a restraint,

cittassa abhihāsanaṁ;

an enjoyment for the mind;

Titthañca sabbabuddhānaṁ,

the ford where all the Buddhas cross over:

tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye.

that’s why you should purify your ethics.

Sīlaṁ balaṁ appaṭimaṁ,

Ethics are the matchless power;

sīlaṁ āvudhamuttamaṁ;

ethics are the ultimate weapon;

Sīlamābharaṇaṁ seṭṭhaṁ,

ethics are the best ornament;

sīlaṁ kavacamabbhutaṁ.

ethics are a marvelous coat of armor.

Sīlaṁ setu mahesakkho,

Ethics are a mighty bridge;

sīlaṁ gandho anuttaro;

ethics are the unsurpassed scent;

Sīlaṁ vilepanaṁ seṭṭhaṁ,

ethics are the best perfume,

yena vāti disodisaṁ.

that float from place to place.

Sīlaṁ sambalamevaggaṁ,

Ethics are the best provision;

sīlaṁ pātheyyamuttamaṁ;

ethics are the unsurpassed supply for a journey;

Sīlaṁ seṭṭho ativāho,

ethics are the best vehicle

yena yāti disodisaṁ.

that take you from place to place.

Idheva nindaṁ labhati,

In this life they’re criticized;

peccāpāye ca dummano;

after departing they grieve in a lower realm;

Sabbattha dummano bālo,

a fool is unhappy everywhere,

sīlesu asamāhito.

because they are unsteady in ethics.

Idheva kittiṁ labhati,

In this life they’re renowned;

pecca sagge ca summano;

after departing they’re happy in heaven;

Sabbattha sumano dhīro,

the attentive are happy everywhere,

sīlesu susamāhito.

because they are steady in ethics.

Sīlameva idha aggaṁ,

Ethical conduct is best in this life,

paññavā pana uttamo;

but one with wisdom is supreme.

Manussesu ca devesu,

Someone with both virtue and wisdom

sīlapaññāṇato jayan”ti.

is victorious among men and gods.

… Sīlavo thero ….