Sumanattheragāthā

Theragāthā 5.4

Verses of the Senior Monks 5.4

Pañcakanipāta

The Book of the Fives

Paṭhamavagga

Chapter One

Sumanattheragāthā

Sumana (1st)

“Yaṁ patthayāno dhammesu,

My mentor helped me to learn,

upajjhāyo anuggahi;

hoping I would practice those teachings.

Amataṁ abhikaṅkhantaṁ,

Aspiring to freedom from death,

kataṁ kattabbakaṁ mayā.

I’ve done what had to be done.

Anuppatto sacchikato,

I’ve realized the Dhamma,

sayaṁ dhammo anītiho;

witnessing it for myself, not based on legends.

Visuddhañāṇo nikkaṅkho,

With purified knowledge, free of doubt,

byākaromi tavantike.

I declare it in your presence.

Pubbenivāsaṁ jānāmi,

I know my past lives,

dibbacakkhu visodhitaṁ;

my clairvoyance is purified,

Sadattho me anuppatto,

I’ve realized my heart’s goal,

kataṁ buddhassa sāsanaṁ.

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

Appamattassa me sikkhā,

Being diligent in the training,

sussutā tava sāsane;

I learned your teachings well.

Sabbe me āsavā khīṇā,

All my defilements are ended;

natthi dāni punabbhavo.

now there’ll be no more future lives.

Anusāsi maṁ ariyavatā,

You advised me in noble observances;

Anukampi anuggahi;

sympathetic, you helped teach me.

Amogho tuyhamovādo,

Your instruction was not in vain—

Antevāsimhi sikkhito”ti.

I, your pupil, am fully trained.

… Sumano thero ….