Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa
Homage to the Blessed One, the Arahant, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened One.
Suttantanīti
The Norm of the Discourses.
1.
1.
Parā [Pg.3] bhavantaṃ purisaṃ,Mayaṃ pucchāma gotamaṃ;
Bhavantaṃ puṭṭhu māgamma,Kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
We ask the Blessed One, Gotama, about the man who is in decline. Having come to ask the Blessed One, what is the cause of downfall?
2.
2.
Suvijāno [Pg.4] bhavaṃhoti,Duvijāno parābhavo;
Dhammakāmo bhavaṃ hoti,Dhammadessī parābhavo.
Easy to discern is the one who prospers; hard to discern is the one who declines. One who loves the Dhamma prospers; one who hates the Dhamma declines.
3.
3.
Itihe [Pg.8] taṃ vijānāma,Pathamo so parābhavo;
Dutīyaṃ bhagavā brūhi,Kiṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
Thus we know this: that is the first cause of downfall. Tell us the second, Blessed One, what is the cause of downfall?
4.
4.
Asantassa [Pg.9] piyo hoti,Sante na kurute piyaṃ;
Asataṃ dhammaṃ roceti,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
He who is dear to the wicked, who does not hold the virtuous dear, and who approves of the doctrine of the wicked—that is the cause of downfall.
Kammāparādhasattānaṃ[Pg.12],Vināse paccupaṭṭhite;
Anayo nayarūpena,Buddhimākamya tiṭṭhati.
When destruction is at hand for beings who have committed wrongful deeds, injustice in the guise of justice overcomes their wisdom.
5.
5.
Niddāsīlī [Pg.13] sabhāsīlī,Anuṭṭhātā ca yo naro;
Alaso kodhapaññāṇo,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
The man who is fond of sleep, fond of company, unenergetic, lazy, and marked by anger—that is the cause of downfall.
6.
6.
Yo [Pg.25] mātaraṃ pitaraṃ vā,Jiṇṇakaṃ gatayobbanaṃ;
Pahusanto na bharati,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
He who, being capable, does not support his mother or father who are old and past their youth—that is the cause of downfall.
7.
7.
Yo [Pg.30] brāhmaṇaṃ samaṇaṃ vā,Aññaṃ vāpi vaṇibbakaṃ;
Musāvādena vañceti,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
He who deceives a brahmin or an ascetic, or any other mendicant with false speech—that is the cause of downfall.
8.
8.
Pahutavitto [Pg.33] puriso,Sahirañño sabhojano;
Eko bhuñjati sādūni,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
A man possessing much wealth, with gold and food aplenty, who eats delicious things alone—that is the cause of downfall.
9.
9.
Jātithaddho [Pg.36] dhanathaddho,Gottathaddho ca yo naro;
Sañātiṃ atimaññeti,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
The man who is proud of his birth, proud of his wealth, and proud of his lineage, and who despises his own kin—that is the cause of downfall.
10.
10.
Itthidhutto [Pg.40] surādhutto,Akkhadhutto ca yo naro;
Laddhaṃladdhaṃ vināseti,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
The man who is a womanizer, a drunkard, and a gambler, and who squanders whatever he has gained—that is the cause of downfall.
Na [Pg.44] bāḷhaṃ itthiṃ gaccheyya,Sampassaṃ tejasaṅkhayaṃ;
Kāsaṃ sāsaṃ daraṃ bālyaṃ,Khīṇamedo nigacchati.
One should not excessively pursue women, observing the exhaustion of one's vigor; for he whose vitality is wasted undergoes coughing, breathlessness, trembling, and weakness.
(Ka)
(Ka)
Māyācetā [Pg.45] marīcī ca,Soko rogo upaddavo;
Kharā ca bandhanācetā,Maccupāso guhāsayo.
These are illusion and a mirage, sorrow, disease, and calamity; they are harsh things and bonds, the snare of Death, a creature lying in a lair.
(Kha)
(Kha)
Balavanto dubbalā honti,Thāmavantopi hāyare;
Cakkhumā andhakā honti,Mātugāmavasaṃgatā.
The strong become weak, the mighty also decline, the clear-sighted become blind—those who have come under the sway of women.
(Ga)
(Ga)
Guṇavanto [Pg.46] nigguṇā honti,Paññavantopi hāyare;
Pamuttā bandhanā senti,Mātugāmavasaṃgatā.
The virtuous become devoid of virtue, the wise also decline; the liberated fall into bondage—those who have come under the sway of womankind.
(Gha)
(Gha)
Yasaṃ [Pg.47] kittiṃ dhitiṃ sūraṃ;
Bāhussaccaṃ pajānanaṃ;
Hāpayanti pamattassa;
Kaṭṭhapuñcaṃva pāvako.
Glory, renown, resolution, prowess, great learning, and discernment—these they cause the heedless one to lose, just as fire consumes a pile of wood.
11.
11.
Sehi [Pg.51] dārehi santuṭṭho,Vesiyāsu padussati;
Dussati paradāresu,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
He who is not content with his own wives, and is seen among prostitutes and the wives of others—that is the cause of downfall.
(Ka)
(Ka)
Mayañca [Pg.60] bhariyaṃ nātikkamāma,Amheca bhariyā nātikkamanti;
Aññatra tāhi brahmacariyaṃ carāma,Tasmā hi amhaṃ daharā na miyyare.
We do not transgress against our wives, nor do our wives transgress against us. Apart from them, we live a life of chastity. Therefore, our young ones do not die.
(Kha)
(Kha)
Etāsu [Pg.63] jāyare suttamāsu,Medhāvino honti pahutapaññā;
Bahussutā theraguṇā ca honti,Tasmā hi amhaṃ daharā na miyyare.
Born of these excellent women, they are intelligent and of great wisdom; they are learned and possess the qualities of elders. Therefore, our young ones do not die.
12.
12.
Atītayobbano [Pg.65] poso,Āneti timbarutthaniṃ;
Tassa issā na supati,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
A man whose youth is past brings home a wife with breasts like timbaru fruit; out of jealousy for her, he cannot sleep—that is the cause of downfall.
(Ka)
(Ka)
Na [Pg.69] dukkhaṃ ahinā daṭṭhaṃ,Na dukkhaṃ sattiyā hataṃ;
Tañca dukkhañca tibbañca,Yaṃ passe jiṇṇakaṃ patiṃ.
To be bitten by a snake is not so painful, nor to be struck by a spear; but that is a sharp and intense pain, to see an aged husband.
(Kha)
(Kha)
Natthi [Pg.70] khiṭṭā natthi rati,Jiṇṇena patinā saha;
Natthi allāpasallāpo,Jagghituṃpi na sobhati.
There is no play, there is no pleasure, with an aged husband; there is no friendly conversation, and even to laugh is not seemly.
(Ga)
(Ga)
Yadā ca daharo daharī,Mantayiṃsu rahogatā;
Sabbe sokā vinassanti,Yekeci hadayassitā.
But when a youth and a maiden converse in secret, all sorrows vanish, whatever are lodged in the heart.
13.
13.
Itthiṃ [Pg.75] soṇḍiṃ vikiraṇiṃ,Purisaṃ vāpi tādisaṃ;
Issariyasmiṃ thapeti,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
A woman who is a drunkard and wasteful, or a man of a similar kind; to place such a one in authority, that is a cause of downfall.
14.
14.
Appabhogo [Pg.76] mahātaṇho,Khattiye jāyate kule;
So ca rajjaṃ patthayati,Taṃ parābhavato mukhaṃ.
One of little wealth but great craving, born into a warrior family; if he should aspire to kingship, that is a cause of downfall.
‘‘Suvijāno [Pg.81] bhavaṃhoti,Duvijāno parābhavo’’;
Appabhogo mahātaṇho.
“Easy to discern is prosperity, hard to discern is downfall”; one of little wealth and great craving.
15.
15.
Ete [Pg.82] parābhave loke,Paṇḍito samavekkhiya;
Ariyo dassanasampanno,Sa lokaṃ bhajate sivaṃ.
Having thoroughly considered these causes of downfall in the world, the wise and noble one, endowed with vision, resorts to that auspicious world.
Vasalasutta
The Discourse on the Outcast
1.
1.
Kodhano [Pg.87] upanāhīca,Pāpamakkhī ca yo naro;
Vipannadiṭṭhī māyāvī,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whatever person is angry and resentful, evil and contemptuous, of corrupt view, and deceitful—know him as an outcast.
2.
2.
Ekajaṃ [Pg.89] vā dvijaṃ vāpi,Yodha pāṇaṃ vihiṃsati;
Yassa pāṇe dayā natthi,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever in this world harms living beings, whether once-born or twice-born, who has no compassion for living beings—know him as an outcast.
3.
3.
Yo [Pg.91] hanti uparundhati,Gāmāni nigamāni ca;
Niggāhako samaññāto,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
One who destroys and besieges villages and towns, and is known as an oppressor—know him as an outcast.
4.
4.
Gāme [Pg.92] vā yadi vā raññe,Yaṃ paresaṃ mamāyitaṃ;
Theyyā adinnaṃ ādeti,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, in a village or in the forest, takes by theft what belongs to others and has not been given—know him as an outcast.
5.
5.
Yo [Pg.94] have iṇamādāya,Vuccamāno palāyati;
Na hi te iṇamatthīti,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, having taken on a debt, runs away when pressed, saying, ‘I owe you no debt’—know him as an outcast.
6.
6.
Yodha kiñcikkhakamyatā,Pathasmiṃ vajataṃ janaṃ;
Hantvā kiñcikkha mādeti;
Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, desiring some trifle, kills a person traveling on the road and takes it—know him as an outcast.
7.
7.
Yo [Pg.98] attahetu parahetu,Dhanahetu ca yo naro;
Sakkhipuṭṭho musābrūti,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whatever person, for his own sake, for another's sake, or for the sake of wealth, speaks falsely when questioned as a witness—know him as an outcast.
8.
8.
Yo [Pg.102] ñātīnaṃ sakhīnaṃ vā,Dāresu paṭidissati;
Sahasā sampiyena vā,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever is seen with the wives of his relatives or his friends, whether by force or with their consent—know him as an outcast.
9.
9.
Yo [Pg.10]4 mātaraṃ pitaraṃ vā,Jiṇṇakaṃ gatayobbanaṃ;
Pahusanto na bharati,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, being able, does not support his mother or father when they are old and past their youth—know him as an outcast.
10.
10.
Yo [Pg.105] mātaraṃ pitaraṃ vā,Bhātaraṃ bhaginiṃ sassuṃ;
Hanti roseti vācāya,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever strikes or provokes with speech his mother, father, brother, sister, or mother-in-law—know him as an outcast.
11.
11.
Yo [Pg.107] atthaṃ pucchito santo,Anattha manusāsati;
Paṭicchannena manteti,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, being asked about what is beneficial, teaches what is harmful, and counsels in a concealed manner—know him as an outcast.
12.
12.
Yo [Pg.111] katvā pāpakaṃ kammaṃ,Māmaṃ jaññāti icchati;
Yo paṭicchannakammanto,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, having done an evil deed, wishes, ‘May no one know about me,’ one whose actions are concealed—know him as an outcast.
13.
13.
Yo [Pg.114] ve parakulaṃ gantvā,Bhutvāna sucibhojanaṃ;
Āgataṃ nappaṭipūjeti,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, having gone to another's home and eaten fine food, does not honor them in return when they come to him—know him as an outcast.
14.
14.
Yo [Pg.117] samaṇaṃ vā brāhmaṇaṃ,Aññaṃ vāpi vaṇibbakaṃ;
Musāvādena vañceti,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever deceives with a lie a recluse, a brahmin, or any other mendicant—know him as an outcast.
15.
15.
Yo samaṇaṃ vā brāhmaṇaṃ,Bhattakāle upaṭṭhitaṃ;
Roseti vā na ca deti,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever provokes a recluse or a brahmin who has arrived at mealtime, and does not give—know him as an outcast.
16.
16.
Asantaṃ [Pg.120] yodha pabrūti,Mohena paliguṇṭhito;
Kiñcanaṃ nijigīsāno,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever in this world, veiled by delusion, speaks what is false, desiring to gain some trifle—know him as an outcast.
17.
17.
Yocattānaṃ [Pg.122] samukkaṃse,Pareca mavajānāti;
Nihīno sena mānena,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever exalts himself and disparages others, debased by his own conceit—know him as an outcast.
18.
18.
Rosako [Pg.124] kadarīyo ca,Pāpiccho maccharī saṭho;
Ahirīko anottappī,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
One who is provocative and miserly, of evil desires, selfish and deceitful, shameless and without fear of wrongdoing—know him as an outcast.
19.
19.
Yo [Pg.127] buddhaṃ paribhāsati,Athavā tassa sāvakaṃ;
Paribbajaṃ gahaṭṭhaṃ vā,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever reviles the Buddha, or his disciple, be they a renunciant or a householder—know him as an outcast.
Aṭṭhahi [Pg.129] bhikkhave aṅgehi sampannāgatassa upāsakassa patto nikujjitabbo. Bhikkhūnaṃ alābhāya parisakkati, bhikkhūnaṃ anatthāya parisakkati, bhikkhūnaṃ anāvāsāya parisakkati, bhikkhūnaṃ akkosati paribhāsati, bhikkhūbhikkhūhi bhedeti, buddhassa avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, dhammassa avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, saṅghassa avaṇṇaṃ bhāsati, anujānāmi bhikkhave imehi aṭṭhahi aṅgehi sampannāgatassa upāsakassa pattaṃ nikujjituṃ.
Monks, the bowl of a lay follower endowed with eight qualities should be overturned. He strives for the non-receipt of gains by the monks, he strives for the harm of the monks, he strives for the non-residence of the monks; he insults and reviles the monks; he creates division between monks; he speaks in dispraise of the Buddha, he speaks in dispraise of the Dhamma, he speaks in dispraise of the Sangha. Monks, I permit the overturning of the bowl for a lay follower endowed with these eight qualities.
20.
20.
Yo [Pg.132] anarahaṃ santo,Arahāti paṭijānāti;
Coro sabrahmake loke,Taṃ jaññā vasalo iti.
Whoever, being no Arahant, claims to be an Arahant, is a thief in the world with its Brahmās—know him as an outcast.
21.
21.
Ete [Pg.135] kho vasalā vuttā,Mayā ye te pakāsitā;
Na jaccā vasalo hoti,Na jaccā hoti brāhmaṇo.
These indeed are called outcasts, those whom I have declared. Not by birth is one an outcast, not by birth is one a brahmin.
22.
22.
Kammunā vasalo hoti,Kammunā hoti brāhmaṇo.
By deed one becomes an outcast; by deed one becomes a brahmin.
23.
23.
Tadamināpi [Pg.136] jānātha,Yathāhetaṃ nidassanaṃ;
Caṇḍālaputto sopāko,Mātaṅgo iti vissuto.
Know this also by this example: Sopāka, the son of a Caṇḍāla, was renowned as Mātaṅga.
24.
24.
So [Pg.137] yasaṃ paramaṃ patto,Mātaṅgo yaṃ sudullabhaṃ;
Āgacchuṃ tassupaṭṭhānaṃ,Khattiyā brāhmaṇā bahū.
He, Mātaṅga, attained supreme fame, which is so very hard to gain; many nobles and brahmins came to attend upon him.
25.
25.
So [Pg.138] devayānaṃ abhiruyha,Virajaṃ so mahāpathaṃ;
Kāmarāgaṃ virājetvā,Brahmalokūpago ahu.
Mounting the divine vehicle, the stainless great path, and having become dispassionate towards sensual passion, he became a partaker in the Brahma world.
Giriṃ [Pg.166] nakhena khaṇasi,Ayo dantebhi khādasi;
Jātavedaṃ padahasi,Yo isiṃ paribhāsati.Āvelitaṃ [Pg.167] piṭṭhito uttamaṅgaṃ,Bāhuṃ pasāreti akampaṇeyyaṃ;
Setāni akkhīni yathā matassa,Ko me imaṃ puttamakāsi evaṃ.
You dig a mountain with a fingernail, you chew iron with your teeth, you handle fire—you who revile a sage. With head bent back, arms outstretched and unmoving, eyes white like one who is dead—who has made my son thus?