Help | Home » Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Theragatha » Context of this chapter

# Theragatha

## Chapter V -- The Fives

### (Selected suttas)

For free distribution only.

V.1 -- Rajadatta {vv. 315-319}
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]

> I, a monk,
> gone to the charnel ground,
> saw a woman cast away,
> discarded
> there in the cemetery.

> Though some were disgusted,
> seeing her -- dead, evil --
> lust
> appeared,
> as if I were blind
> to the oozings.

> In less time than it takes
> for rice to cook,
> I got out of that place.
> Mindful, alert, I
> sat down to one side.
> Then apt attention arose in me,
> the drawbacks appeared,
> disenchantment stood
> at an even keel:

> With that, my heart was released.
> See the Dhamma's true rightness!
> The three knowledges
> have been attained;
> the Awakened One's bidding,
> done.

V.8 -- Vakkali {vv. 350-354}
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]

> Stricken by sharp, wind-like pains,
> you, monk, living in the forest grove
> -- harsh, with limited range for alms --
> what, what will you do?

> Suffusing my body
> with abundant rapture & joy,
> & enduring what's harsh,
> I'll stay in the grove.

> Developing the frames of reference,
> strengths, faculties,
> the factors for Awakening,
> I'll stay in the grove.

> Reflecting on those who are resolute,
> their persistence aroused,
> constantly firm in their effort,
> united in concord,
> I'll stay in the grove.

> Recollecting the One Self-awakened,
> self-tamed & centered,
> untiring both day & night,
> I'll stay
> in the grove.

V.9 -- Vijitasena {vv. 355-359}
[K.R. Norman, trans. From Taming the Mind: Discourses of the Buddha (WH 51), edited by the Buddhist Publication Society (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1983). Copyright ©1983 Buddhist Publication Society. Used with permission.]

> I shall fasten you, mind, like an elephant at a small gate. I shall not incite you to evil, you net of sensual pleasure, body-born.

> When fastened, you will not go, like an elephant not finding the gate open. Witch-mind, you will not wander again, and again, using force, delighting in evil.

> As the strong hook-holder makes an untamed elephant, newly taken, turn against its will, so shall I make you turn.

> As the excellent charioteer, skilled in the taming of excellent horses, tames a thoroughbred, so shall I, standing firm in the five powers, tame you.

> I shall bind you with mindfulness; with purified self shall cleanse [you]. Restrained by the yoke of energy you will not go far from here, mind.

V.10 -- Yasadatta {vv. 360-364}
[Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans.]

> Intent on quibbling,
> the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

> He's as far from the True Dhamma
> as the ground is from the sky.

> Intent on quibbling,
> the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

> He wanes from the True Dhamma,
> like the moon in the dark half of the month.

> Intent on quibbling,
> the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

> He withers away in the True Dhamma,
> like a fish in next to no water.

> Intent on quibbling,
> the dullard hears the Conqueror's teaching.

> He doesn't grow in the True Dhamma,
> like a rotten seed in a field.

> But whoever hears the Conqueror's teaching
> with guarded intent,
> doing away with effluents -- all --
> realizing the unshakable,
> attaining the foremost peace,
> is -- free from effluent --
> totally unbound.

Revised: Fri 12 April 2002