Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One
In the Minor Collection
Minor Readings
1.
The Three Refuges
I go for refuge to the Teaching;
I go for refuge to the Community.
For the second time I go for refuge to the Teaching;
For the second time I go for refuge to the Community.
For the third time I go for refuge to the Teaching;
For the third time I go for refuge to the Community.
The Threefold Refuge is concluded.
2.
The Ten Training Rules
1. I undertake the training rule of abstention from killing living beings.
2. I undertake the training rule of abstention from taking what is not given.
3. I undertake the training rule of abstention from not practising the holy life.
4. I undertake the training rule of abstention from lying.
5. I undertake the training rule of abstention from spirits, liquor and intoxicants that cause negligence.
6. I undertake the training rule of abstention from eating at the improper time.
7. I undertake the training rule of abstention from dancing, singing, music, and seeing shows.
8. I undertake the training rule of abstention from wearing garlands, perfumes, cosmetics, adornment and beautification.
9. I undertake the training rule of abstention from high and large beds.
10. I undertake the training rule of abstention from accepting gold and silver.
The Ten Training Rules is concluded.
3.
The Thirty-two Aspects (of the Body)
There are in this body –
Flesh, sinews, bones, bone marrow, kidneys,
Heart, liver, pleura, spleen, lungs,
Intestines, mesentery, undigested food, excrement, brain,
Bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat,
Tears, grease, spittle, snot, synovic fluid, urine.
The Thirty-Two Aspects is concluded.
4.
Questions for a Young Novice
1. "What is called one?" "All beings are sustained by nutriment."
2. "What is called two?" "Mentality and materiality."
3. "What is called three?" "The three feelings."
4. "What is called four?" "The four noble truths."
5. "What is called five?" "The five aggregates of clinging."
6. "What is called six?" "The six internal sense bases."
7. "What is called seven?" "The seven factors of enlightenment."
8. "What is called eight?" "The noble eightfold path."
9. "What is called nine?" "Nine abodes of beings."
10. "What is called ten?" "One endowed with ten factors is called a 'Worthy One'."
The Novice's Questions is concluded.
5.
The Discourse on Blessings
1. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Then a certain deity, when the night was far advanced, with surpassing beauty, having illuminated almost the entire Jeta's Grove, approached the Blessed One; having approached, he paid respect to the Blessed One and stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Blessed One in verse –
2.
Longing for safety, tell us the highest blessing."
3.
Veneration of those worthy of veneration - this is the highest blessing.
4.
Rightly directing oneself - this is the highest blessing.
5.
And whatever speech is well-spoken - this is the highest blessing.
6.
And activities that are not confused - this is the highest blessing.
7.
Blameless actions - this is the highest blessing.
8.
Diligence in teachings - this is the highest blessing.
9.
Hearing the Teaching at the right time - this is the highest blessing.
10.
Discussion of the Teaching at the right time - this is the highest blessing.
11.
And the realisation of Nibbāna - this is the highest blessing.
12.
Sorrowless, stainless, secure - this is the highest blessing.
13.
They go to safety everywhere, that is the highest blessing for them.
The Discourse on Blessings is concluded.
6.
The Discourse on the Superb Jewels
1.
May all beings be glad-minded, and also attentively listen to what is said.
2.
Those who bring offerings by day and by night, therefore protect them, being diligent.
3.
There is none equal to the Tathāgata, this too is a sublime jewel in the Buddha;
By this truth may there be well-being.
4.
There is nothing equal to that Dhamma, this too is a sublime jewel in the Dhamma;
By this truth may there be well-being.
5.
There is nothing equal to that concentration, this too is a sublime jewel in the Dhamma;
By this truth may there be well-being.
6.
They are worthy of offerings, disciples of the Fortunate One, gifts given to them are of great fruit;
This too is a sublime jewel in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
7.
They, having attained attainment, having plunged into the Deathless, having obtained it freely, enjoying peace;
This too is a sublime jewel in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
8.
So too I declare the good person to be like that, who sees the noble truths with certainty;
This too is a sublime jewel in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
9.
Even though they may be exceedingly heedless, they do not take up an eighth existence;
This too is a sublime jewel in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
10.
Identity view and doubt, and moral rules and austerities, whatever there is.
11.
This too is a sublime jewel in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
12.
He is incapable of concealing it, inability has been declared for one who has seen the state;
This too is a sublime jewel in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
13.
So too he taught the excellent Teaching, leading to Nibbāna, for the supreme welfare;
This too is a sublime jewel in the Buddha, by this truth may there be well-being.
14.
This too is a sublime jewel in the Buddha, by this truth may there be well-being.
15.
They, with seeds eliminated, with desires not growing, the wise are extinguished like this lamp;
This too is a sublime jewel in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
16.
We venerate the Tathāgata, honoured by gods and humans, the Buddha - may there be well-being.
17.
We venerate the Tathāgata, honoured by gods and humans, the Teaching - may there be well-being.
18.
We venerate the Tathāgata, honoured by gods and humans, the Community - may there be well-being.
The Discourse on the Jewels is concluded.
7.
The Discourse on Those Outside the Walls
1.
They stand by the door-posts, having come to their own home.
2.
No one remembers those beings, because of their kamma.
3.
Pure, superior, in proper time, allowable drink and food;
"May this be for your relatives, may the relatives be happy."
4.
When food and drink are abundant, they give thanks attentively.
5.
And veneration has been made to us, and the donors are not without fruit."
6.
There is no such trade, buying and selling with gold;
By what is given from here they sustain themselves, the deceased ghosts there.
7.
Just so what is given from here is beneficial to the ghosts.
8.
Just so what is given from here is beneficial to the ghosts.
9.
One should give offerings to the departed, recollecting what was done before.
10.
Is for the benefit of the departed, thus do relatives remain.
11.
For a long time for his welfare, with reason it is beneficial.
12.
And strength has been given to the monks, much merit has been produced by you.
The Discourse on Those Outside the Walls is concluded.
8.
The Discourse on the Treasure Trove
1.
When a need or task has arisen, it will be for my benefit.
2.
Or for release from debt, in famine or in misfortunes;
For this purpose in the world, a treasure is deposited.
3.
Not all of it always, is beneficial to him.
4.
Either serpents remove it, or demons carry it away.
5.
When there is exhaustion of merit, all this perishes.
6.
Has a treasure well deposited, whether woman or man.
7.
Towards mother and father too, and also towards the elder brother.
8.
Having abandoned those that must be left behind, one goes taking this.
9.
The wise one should do meritorious deeds, which treasure goes along with one.
10.
Whatever they long for, all of that is obtained through this.
11.
Lordship and retinue, all of this is obtained through this.
12.
Even kingship among the divine celestial beings, all of that is obtained through this.
13.
And whatever is the bliss of Nibbāna, all of that is obtained through this.
14.
True knowledge, liberation, and mastery - all of this is obtained through this.
15.
Individual enlightenment and Buddhahood, all of this is obtained through this.
16.
Therefore the wise praise, the wise ones, the fact of having made merit.
The Discourse on the Treasure Store is concluded.
9.
The Discourse on Friendliness
1.
One should be able, upright and very upright, easy to admonish, gentle and not arrogant.
2.
With peaceful faculties and prudent, not impudent, not greedy among families.
3.
May they be happy and secure, may all beings be happy in themselves.
4.
Whether long or great, middling, short, subtle or gross.
5.
Whether come to be or seeking birth, may all beings be happy in themselves.
6.
Through anger or perception of aversion, one should not wish suffering for one another.
7.
So too towards all beings, one should develop a limitless mind.
8.
Above, below, and across, unconfined, without enmity, without hostility.
9.
One should resolve upon this mindfulness - they call this the divine abiding here.
10.
Having removed greed for sensual pleasures, for surely he does not come again to lying in a womb.
The Discourse on Friendliness is concluded.
The Khuddakapāṭha Pāḷi is concluded.