Sabhiyattheragāthā

Theragāthā 4.3

Verses of the Senior Monks 4.3

Catukkanipāta

The Book of the Fours

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Sabhiyattheragāthā

Sabhiya

“Pare ca na vijānanti,

When others do not understand,

mayamettha yamāmase;

let us, who do understand this,

Ye ca tattha vijānanti,

restrain ourselves in this regard;

tato sammanti medhagā.

for that is how conflicts are laid to rest.

Yadā ca avijānantā,

And when those who don’t understand

iriyantyamarā viya;

behave as though they were immortal,

Vijānanti ca ye dhammaṁ,

those who understand the Dhamma

āturesu anāturā.

are like the healthy among the sick.

Yaṁ kiñci sithilaṁ kammaṁ,

Any lax act,

saṅkiliṭṭhañca yaṁ vataṁ;

any corrupt observance,

Saṅkassaraṁ brahmacariyaṁ,

or suspicious spiritual life,

na taṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ.

is not very fruitful.

Yassa sabrahmacārīsu,

Whoever has no respect

gāravo nūpalabbhati;

for their spiritual companions

Ārakā hoti saddhammā,

is as far from true Dhamma

nabhaṁ puthaviyā yathā”ti.

as the firmament from the earth.

… Sabhiyo thero ….