Jambukattheragāthā

Theragāthā 4.5

Verses of the Senior Monks 4.5

Catukkanipāta

The Book of the Fours

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Jambukattheragāthā

Jambuka

“Pañcapaññāsavassāni,

For fifty-five years

rajojallamadhārayiṁ;

I wore dust and dirt.

Bhuñjanto māsikaṁ bhattaṁ,

Eating one meal a month,

kesamassuṁ alocayiṁ.

I tore out my hair and beard.

Ekapādena aṭṭhāsiṁ,

I stood on one foot;

āsanaṁ parivajjayiṁ;

I shunned seats;

Sukkhagūthāni ca khādiṁ,

I ate dried-out dung;

uddesañca na sādiyiṁ.

I didn’t accept food set aside for me.

Etādisaṁ karitvāna,

I did many deeds of this kind,

bahuṁ duggatigāminaṁ;

which lead to a bad destination.

Vuyhamāno mahoghena,

Swept away by a great flood,

buddhaṁ saraṇamāgamaṁ.

I went to the Buddha for refuge.

Saraṇagamanaṁ passa,

See the going for refuge!

passa dhammasudhammataṁ;

Behold the clear rightness of the teaching!

Tisso vijjā anuppattā,

I’ve attained the three knowledges

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanan”ti.

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

… Jambuko thero ….