Part 21 - Buddhavagga - The Buddha

196. Yathapi udake jatam
pundarikam pavaddhati
nopalippati toyena
sucigandham manoramam.

As the lotus is born in the water
and grows up beneath the water,
yet remains undefiled by the water,
fragrant and beautiful.

197. Tath'eva ca loke jato
buddho loke viharati
nopalippati lokena
toyena padumam yatha.

Just so the Buddha is born in the world,
grows up and dwells in the world,
but like the lotus unstained by water
he is not defiled by the world.

198. Mahasamuddo pathavi
pabbato anilo pi ca
upamaya na yujjanti
satthu varavimuttiya.

The mighty ocean, the earth so broad,
the mountain peak or the wind
are not adequate similes to describe
the awesome freedom of the Teacher.

199. Appameyyam paminanto
ko'dha vidva vikappaye
appameyyam pamayinam
nivutam maññe akissavam.

Who can measure the immeasurable one?
Who can fathom and determine him?
To try to measure the immeasurable one
betrays a mind devoid of wisdom.

200. Araññe rukkhamule va
suññagare va bhikkhavo
anussaretha sambuddham
bhayam tumhakam no siya.

When in the forest, amongst the roots of trees,
or when retired to an empty place,
just call to mind the Buddha and
no fear or trembling will arise.

201. Hitanukampi sambuddho
yad aññam anusasati
anurodhavirodhehi
vippamutto tathagato.

When the Buddha teaches others
he does so out of compassion,
because the Tathagata is wholly freed
from both favor and aversion.

202. Yatha rattikkhaye patte
suriyass'uggamanam dhuvam
tath'eva buddhasetthanam
vacanam dhuvasassatam.

It is certain that the sun will rise
when the darkness of night fades away;
so too the words of the supreme Buddha
are always certain and reliable.

203. Satthugaru dhammagaru
sanghe ca tibbagaravo
appamadagaru bhikkhu
patisantharagaravo
abhabbo parihanaya
nibbanass'eva santike.

Deeply reverent towards the Teacher,
reverent towards the Dhamma and Sangha,
reverent towards vigilance,
having kindness and good will:
a monk like this cannot fail,
for he is close to Nibbana.

204. Tena h'atappam karohi
idh'eva nipako sato
ito sutvana nigghosam
sikkhe nibbanam attano.

So stir up your energy now,
be skillful and be ever mindful.
When you have heard my voice
train yourself to attain Nibbana.

205. Ye pavutte satthipade
anusikkhanti jhayino
kale te appamajjanta
na macuvasaga siyum.

Those who do their best and train
in all the teachings that I have taught,
alert and meditative, shall in time
go beyond the power of death.