The Book of the Twelves

Chapter One

Sīlava

thag12.1:1 One should train just in ethical conduct, for in this world, when ethical conduct is cultivated and well-trained, it provides all success.

thag12.1:2 Wishing for three kinds of happiness— praise, prosperity, and to delight in heaven after passing away— the wise would take care of their ethics.

thag12.1:3 The well-behaved have many friends, because of their self-restraint. But one lacking ethics, of bad conduct, drives away their friends.

thag12.1:4 A man whose ethics are bad has ill-repute and infamy. One who is ethical always has a good reputation, fame, and praise.

thag12.1:5 Ethical conduct is the starting point and foundation; the mother at the head of all good things: that’s why you should purify your ethics.

thag12.1:6 Ethics provide a boundary and a restraint, an enjoyment for the mind; the ford where all the Buddhas cross over: that’s why you should purify your ethics.

thag12.1:7 Ethics are the matchless power; ethics are the ultimate weapon; ethics are the best ornament; ethics are a marvelous coat of armor.

thag12.1:8 Ethics are a mighty bridge; ethics are the unsurpassed scent; ethics are the best perfume, that float from place to place.

thag12.1:9 Ethics are the best provision; ethics are the unsurpassed supply for a journey; ethics are the best vehicle that take you from place to place.

thag12.1:10 In this life they’re criticized; after departing they grieve in a lower realm; a fool is unhappy everywhere, because they are unsteady in ethics.

thag12.1:11 In this life they’re renowned; after departing they’re happy in heaven; the attentive are happy everywhere, because they are steady in ethics.

thag12.1:12 Ethical conduct is best in this life, but one with wisdom is supreme. Someone with both virtue and wisdom is victorious among men and angels.

The Book of the Twelves

Chapter One

Sunīta

thag12.2:1 I was born in a low-class family. We were poor, with little to eat. My job was lowly— I threw out the old flowers.

thag12.2:2 Shunned by people, I was disregarded and held in contempt. I humbled my heart and paid respects to many people.

thag12.2:3 Then I saw the Buddha at the fore of the mendicant Saṅgha. The great hero was entering the capital city of the Magadhans.

thag12.2:4 I dropped my flail and approached to pay homage. Out of sympathy for me, the supreme man stood still.

thag12.2:5 When I had paid homage at the Teacher’s feet, I stood to one side and requested the going forth from the one supreme among all beings.

thag12.2:6 Consequently, the Teacher, being compassionate, having sympathy for the whole world, said to me, “Come, monk!” That was my ordination.

thag12.2:7 Staying alone in the wilderness, meditating tirelessly, I have completed what the Teacher taught, just as the victor advised me.

thag12.2:8 In the first watch of the night, I reflected on ages gone by. In the middle watch, I purified my clairvoyance. In the last watch, I shattered the mass of darkness.

thag12.2:9 At the end of the night, as the sunrise drew near, Angels of high rank came and greeted me with joined hands.

thag12.2:10 “Homage to you, O thoroughbred! Homage to you, supreme among men! Since your defilements are ended, you, good fellow, are worthy of a religious donation.”

thag12.2:11 Consequently, having seen me honored by the assembly of angels, the Teacher smiled and said the following:

thag12.2:12 “By fervor and spiritual practice, by restraint and by self-control: that’s how to become a brahmin, this is the supreme brahmin.”