Hard to find the pure and noble
who isn’t born just anywhere,
wherever one so wise is born
that family thrives happily.
Explanation: The Buddha is rare indeed. Such a rare person is not born everywhere. If such a noble and wise person were born in a clan, that clan will reap happiness. Continue reading “Verse 193. Rare Indeed Is Buddha’s Arising”
Such refuge is secure,
such refuge is supreme.
From all dukkha one is free
unto that refuge gone.
Explanation: This refuge in the Triple Refuge is, of course, totally secure. This is the supreme refuge. Once you take this refuge you gain release from all your sufferings.
Dukkha, its causal arising,
the overcoming of dukkha,
and the Eight-fold Path that’s Noble
leading to dukkha’s allaying.
Explanation: The four extraordinary realities are suffering; the arising of suffering; the ending of suffering; the eight-fold path leading to the ending of suffering.
But going for refuge to Buddha,
to Dhamma and the Sangha too,
one sees with perfect wisdom
the tetrad of the Noble Truths:
Explanation: If a wise person were to take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha, he will observe the four Noble Truths with high wisdom.
Such refuge isn’t secure,
such refuge isn’t supreme.
From all dukkha one’s not free
unto that refuge gone.
Explanation: These are not secure refuges. The are not the supreme refuge. One who takes refuge in them is not released from all sufferings.
Many a refuge do they seek
on hills, in woods, to sacred trees,
to monasteries and shrines they go.
Folk by fear tormented.
Explanation: Human beings who tremble in fear seek refuge in mountains, forests, parks, trees, and shrines. Continue reading “Verse 188. Fear Stricken Masses”
Even with pleasures heavenly
that one finds no delight,
the perfect Buddha’s pupil
delights in craving’s end.
Explanation: The discipline of the Buddha does not even go after heavenly pleasures. The discipline of the Buddha has his mind fixed only on the process of ending cravings.
Not by rain of golden coins
is found desires’ satiety,
desires are dukkha, of little joy,
thus a wise one understands.
Explanation: Insatiable are sensual desires. Sensual desires will not be satisfied even with a shower of gold. The wise knows that sensual pleasure bring but little satisfaction and much pain. Continue reading “Verse 186. Sensual Pleasures Never Satiated”
Not reviling, neither harming,
restrained to limit ‘freedom’s’ way,
knowing reason in one’s food,
dwelling far in solitude,
and striving in the mind sublime:
this is the Buddha’s Teaching.
Explanation: To refrain from finding fault with others; to refrain from hurting others, to be trained in the highest forms of discipline and conduct; to be moderate in eating food; to take delight in solitude; and to engage in higher thought (which is meditation). This is the Buddha’s Teaching.
The Story of the Question Raised by Venerable Ananda (Verses 183 – 185)
Patience’s the austerity supreme,
Nibbana’s supreme the Buddhas say.
One who irks or others harms
is not ordained or monk become.
Explanation: Enduring patience is the highest asceticism. The Buddhas say that imperturbability (Nibbana) is the most supreme. One is not a renunciate if he hurts another. Only one who does not harm others is a true saint (samana).
The Story of the Question Raised by Venerable Ananda (Verses 183 – 185)
