Verses of the Senior Monks 9.1 The Book of the Nines Chapter One Bhūta (THAG9.1)

1.1

“Yadā dukkhaṁ jarāmaraṇanti paṇḍito,

When an astute person knows, <j>“Old age and death are suffering;

1.2

Aviddasū yattha sitā puthujjanā;

yet an ignorant ordinary person is bound to them”,

1.3

Dukkhaṁ pariññāya satova jhāyati,

completely understanding suffering, being mindful, <j>practicing absorption:

1.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

2.1

Yadā dukkhassāvahaniṁ visattikaṁ,

When clinging, the carrier <j>of suffering,

2.2

Papañcasaṅghātadukhādhivāhiniṁ;

and craving, the carrier <j>of this painful mass of proliferation,

2.3

Taṇhaṁ pahantvāna satova jhāyati,

are destroyed, and one is mindful, <j>practicing absorption:

2.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

3.1

Yadā sivaṁ dvecaturaṅgagāminaṁ,

When the eightfold way, so full of grace,

3.2

Magguttamaṁ sabbakilesasodhanaṁ;

the supreme path, cleanser of all corruptions,

3.3

Paññāya passitva satova jhāyati,

is seen with wisdom; and one is mindful, <j>practicing absorption:

3.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

4.1

Yadā asokaṁ virajaṁ asaṅkhataṁ,

When one develops that peaceful state,

4.2

Santaṁ padaṁ sabbakilesasodhanaṁ;

sorrowless, stainless, unconditioned,

4.3

Bhāveti saṁyojanabandhanacchidaṁ,

cleanser of all corruptions, <j>cutter of fetters and bonds:

4.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

5.1

Yadā nabhe gajjati meghadundubhi,

When the thundercloud rumbles in the sky,

5.2

Dhārākulā vihagapathe samantato;

while the rain pours on the path of birds all around,

5.3

Bhikkhū ca pabbhāragatova jhāyati,

and a monk has gone to a mountain cave, <j>practicing absorption:

5.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

6.1

Yadā nadīnaṁ kusumākulānaṁ,

When sitting on a riverbank covered in flowers,

6.2

Vicitta-vāneyya-vaṭaṁsakānaṁ;

garlanded with brightly colored forest plants,

6.3

Tīre nisinno sumanova jhāyati,

one is truly happy, <j>practicing absorption:

6.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

7.1

Yadā nisīthe rahitamhi kānane,

When it is midnight in a lonely forest,

7.2

Deve gaḷantamhi nadanti dāṭhino;

and the lions roar as the heavens pour,

7.3

Bhikkhū ca pabbhāragatova jhāyati,

and a monk has gone to a mountain cave, <j>practicing absorption:

7.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

8.1

Yadā vitakke uparundhiyattano,

When one’s own thoughts have been cut off,

8.2

Nagantare nagavivaraṁ samassito;

between the mountains, sheltered inside a cleft,

8.3

Vītaddaro vītakhilova jhāyati,

without stress or heartlessness, <j>practicing absorption:

8.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindati.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

9.1

Yadā sukhī malakhilasokanāsano,

When one is happy, destroyer of stains, heartlessness, and sorrow,

9.2

Niraggaḷo nibbanatho visallo;

free of obstructions, snarls, and thorns,

9.3

Sabbāsave byantikatova jhāyati,

and with all defilements annihilated, <j>practicing absorption:

9.4

Tato ratiṁ paramataraṁ na vindatī”ti.

there is no greater pleasure than this.

9.5

… Bhūto thero …

9.6

Navakanipāto niṭṭhito.

10.0

Tatruddānaṁ

10.1

Bhūto tathaddaso thero,

10.2

eko khaggavisāṇavā;

10.3

Navakamhi nipātamhi,

10.4

gāthāyopi imā navāti.