Aññāsikoṇḍaññattheragāthā

Theragāthā 15.1

Verses of the Senior Monks 15.1

Soḷasakanipāta

The Book of the Sixteens

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Aññāsikoṇḍaññattheragāthā

Koṇḍañña Who Understood

“Esa bhiyyo pasīdāmi,

“My confidence grew

sutvā dhammaṁ mahārasaṁ;

as I heard the teaching, so full of flavor.

Virāgo desito dhammo,

Dispassion is what was taught,

anupādāya sabbaso”.

without any grasping at all.”

“Bahūni loke citrāni,

“There are so many pretty things

asmiṁ pathavimaṇḍale;

in this vast territory.

Mathenti maññe saṅkappaṁ,

They disturb one’s thoughts, it seems to me,

subhaṁ rāgūpasaṁhitaṁ.

attractive, provoking lust.

Rajamuhatañca vātena,

Just as a rain cloud would settle

yathā meghopasammaye;

the dust blown up by the wind,

Evaṁ sammanti saṅkappā,

so thoughts settle down

yadā paññāya passati.

when seen with wisdom.

Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccāti,

All conditions are impermanent—

yadā paññāya passati;

when this is seen with wisdom

Atha nibbindati dukkhe,

one grows disillusioned with suffering:

esa maggo visuddhiyā.

this is the path to purity.

Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhāti,

All conditions are suffering—

yadā paññāya passati;

when this is seen with wisdom

Atha nibbindati dukkhe,

one grows disillusioned with suffering:

esa maggo visuddhiyā.

this is the path to purity.

Sabbe dhammā anattāti,

All things are not-self—

yadā paññāya passati;

when this is seen with wisdom

Atha nibbindati dukkhe,

one grows disillusioned with suffering:

esa maggo visuddhiyā.

this is the path to purity.”

Buddhānubuddho yo thero,

“The senior monk awakened after the Buddha,

koṇḍañño tibbanikkamo;

Koṇḍañña, is keenly energetic.

Pahīnajātimaraṇo,

He has given up birth and death,

brahmacariyassa kevalī.

and has completed the spiritual journey.”

Oghapāso daḷhakhilo,

“There are floods, snares, and strong posts,

Pabbato duppadālayo;

and a mountain hard to crack;

Chetvā khilañca pāsañca,

snapping the posts and snares,

Selaṁ bhetvāna dubbhidaṁ;

breaking the mountain so hard to break,

Tiṇṇo pāraṅgato jhāyī,

crossing over to the far shore,

Mutto so mārabandhanā.

a meditator is freed from Māra’s bonds.

Uddhato capalo bhikkhu,

When a mendicant is haughty and fickle,

mitte āgamma pāpake;

relying on bad friends,

Saṁsīdati mahoghasmiṁ,

they sink down in the great flood,

ūmiyā paṭikujjito.

overcome by a wave.

Anuddhato acapalo,

But one not restless or fickle,

nipako saṁvutindriyo;

alert, with senses restrained,

Kalyāṇamitto medhāvī,

intelligent, with good friends,

dukkhassantakaro siyā.

makes an end of suffering.

Kālapabbaṅgasaṅkāso,

With knobbly knees,

kiso dhamanisanthato;

thin and veiny,

Mattaññū annapānasmiṁ,

eating and drinking in moderation—

adīnamanaso naro.

this person’s spirit is undaunted.

Phuṭṭho ḍaṁsehi makasehi,

Pestered by flies and mosquitoes

araññasmiṁ brahāvane;

in the wilds, the formidable forest,

Nāgo saṅgāmasīseva,

one should mindfully endure,

sato tatrādhivāsaye.

like an elephant at the head of the battle.

Nābhinandāmi maraṇaṁ,

I don’t long for death;

… pe

I don’t long for life;

…

I await my time,

nibbisaṁ bhatako yathā.

like a worker waiting for their wages.

Nābhinandāmi maraṇaṁ,

I don’t long for death;

… pe

I don’t long for life;

…

I await my time,

sampajāno patissato.

aware and mindful.

Pariciṇṇo mayā satthā,

I’ve served the Teacher

… pe

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

…

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—

kiṁ me saddhivihārinā”ti.

what use do I have for protégés?”

… Aññāsikoṇḍañño thero ….