3.
The Book of the Threes
1.
Verses of the Elder Aṅgaṇika Bhāradvāja
Not knowing the path of purity, I practised austere asceticism for immortality.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled.
I am a possessor of the threefold true knowledge, one who has bathed, I am a learned one, one who has attained the highest knowledge."
... The Elder Aṅgaṇikabhāradvāja...
2.
Verses of the Elder Paccaya
Having entered my dwelling, there arose an aspiration of mind.
Nor shall I lay down my side, while the dart of craving is not rooted out.
The three true knowledges have been attained, the Buddha's teaching has been fulfilled."
... The Elder Paccaya...
3.
Verses of the Elder Bākula
He falls from a state of happiness, and afterwards he repents.
One not doing but speaking - the wise fully understand him.
Sorrowless, stainless, secure, where suffering ceases."
... The Elder Bākula...
4.
Verses of the Elder Dhaniya
One should not despise what belongs to the monastic community, robe, drink and food.
Like a snake in a rat's hole, one should resort to lodgings.
One should be content with whatever there is, and should develop one thing."
... The Elder Dhaniya...
5.
Verses of the Elder Mātaṅgaputta
Thus for those who abandon their work, moments pass by the young man.
Doing a man's duties, he does not abandon happiness.
I shall push aside with my chest, developing seclusion."
... The Elder Mātaṅgaputta...
6.
Verses of the Elder Khujjasobhita
One of them, this venerable one, stands at the door, Khujjasobhita.
One of them, this venerable one, stands at the door, stirred by the wind.
By practising the holy life, thus this one thrives in happiness."
... The Elder Khujjasobhita...
7.
Verses of the Elder Vāraṇa
From this world and from the next, from both a man falls to ruin.
Such a person indeed generates much merit.
And in sitting alone in a secret place, and in the appeasement of the mind."
... The Elder Vāraṇa...
8.
Verses of the Elder Vassika
Righteous, accomplished in morality, is for the benefit of kinsmen.
With love for relatives and kinsmen, having done service to the monks.
My brothers and mother rejoice, those who desire sensual pleasures."
... The Elder Vassika...
9.
Verses of the Elder Yasoja
Moderate in food and drink, a man of undepressed mind."
Like an elephant at the head of battle, mindful, one should endure there.
As a village, so are three; beyond that is uproar."
... The Elder Yasoja...
10.
Verses of the Elder Sāṭimattiya
What is yours is yours alone, there is no misconduct of mine.
They become attached and become detached, therein what does the sage lose?
I shall walk for almsfood, I have strength in my legs."
... The Elder Sāṭimattiya...
11.
Verses of the Elder Upāli
One should associate with good friends, those of pure livelihood, not lazy.
A monk dwelling in the Community, being wise, should train in the monastic discipline.
Skilled in what is allowable and not allowable, one should live without being led."
... The Elder Upāli...
12.
Verses of the Elder Uttarapāla
The five types of sensual pleasure in the world, through confusion, made me fall.
I was able to free myself from the snare of the King of Death.
The cycle of birth and wandering is eliminated, there is now no more rebirth."
... The Elder Uttarapāla...
13.
Verses of the Elder Abhibhūta
I will teach you the Teaching, painful is birth again and again.
Shake off the army of Death, as an elephant a hut made of reeds.
Having abandoned the round of rebirths, will make an end of suffering."
... The Elder Abhibhūta...
14.
The Verses of the Elder Gotama
In suffering too in the animal realm, in many ways indeed I dwelt for a long time.
In the fine-material sphere elements, in the immaterial sphere elements, among those neither percipient nor non-percipient, and among the non-percipient I stood established.
Having known that self-existence, mindful, I attained only peace."
... The Elder Gotama...
15.
Verses of the Elder Hārita
He falls from a state of happiness, and afterwards he repents.
One not doing but speaking - the wise fully understand him.
Sorrowless, stainless, secure, where suffering ceases."
... The Elder Hārita...
16.
The Verses of the Elder Vimala
And one should stand firm in his exhortation, aspiring for unshakeable happiness.
Thus, having associated with the lazy, even one living well sinks;
Therefore one should avoid him, the lazy one of inferior energy.
With those constantly putting forth strenuous energy, with the wise ones, one should live together."
... The Elder Vimala...
The Book of Threes is concluded.
The summary therein:
Dhaniya, Mātaṅgaputta, Sobhita, Vāraṇa the sage.
Uttarapāla, Abhibhūta, Gotama and also Hārita.
Forty-eight verses, sixteen elders have been proclaimed.