The Book of the Thirties

Chapter One

Phussa

thag17.1:1 Seeing many who inspire confidence, evolved and well-restrained, the seer of the Paṇḍara clan, asked the one known as Phussa:

thag17.1:2 “In future times, what desire and motivation and behavior will people have? Please answer my question.”

thag17.1:3 “Listen to my words, O seer known as a Paṇḍara, and remember them carefully, I will describe the future.

thag17.1:4 In the future many will be angry and hostile, offensive, stubborn, and devious, jealous, holding divergent views.

thag17.1:5 Imagining they understand <j>the depths of the teaching, they resort to the near shore. Superficial and disrespectful toward the teaching, they lack respect for one another.

thag17.1:6 In the future many dangers will arise in the world. Idiots will defile the Dhamma that was taught so well.

thag17.1:7 Though bereft of good qualities, unlearned prattlers, too sure of themselves, will become powerful in running Saṅgha proceedings.

thag17.1:8 Though possessing good qualities, the conscientious and unbiased, <j>acting in the proper spirit, will become weak in running Saṅgha proceedings.

thag17.1:9 In the future, simpletons will accept currency and gold, fields and land, goats and sheep, and bonded servants, male and female.

thag17.1:10 Fools finding fault in others, but unsteady in their own ethics, will wander about, insolent, like cantankerous beasts.

thag17.1:11 They’ll be haughty, wrapped in robes of blue; deceivers and flatterers, pompous and fake, they’ll wander as if they were noble ones.

thag17.1:12 With hair sleeked back with oil, fickle, their eyes painted with eyeshadow, they’ll travel on the high-road, wrapped in robes of ivory color.

thag17.1:13 The deep-dyed ocher robe, worn without disgust by the free, they will come to loathe, besotted by white clothes.

thag17.1:14 They’ll want lots of possessions, and be lazy, lacking energy. Weary of the forest, they’ll stay within villages.

thag17.1:15 Being unrestrained, they’ll keep company with those who acquire profit, and who always enjoy wrong livelihood, following their example.

thag17.1:16 They won’t respect those who don’t get lots of stuff, and they won’t associate with the attentive, even though they’re very amiable.

thag17.1:17 Disparaging their own banner, dyed a vermilion color, some will wear the white banner of those of other religions.

thag17.1:18 Then they’ll have no respect for the ocher robe. The mendicants will not reflect on the nature of the ocher robe.

thag17.1:19 This awful lack of reflection was unthinkable to the elephant, who was overcome by suffering, inflicted by an arrow strike.

thag17.1:20 Then the six-tusked elephant, seeing the deep-dyed banner of the perfected ones, straight away spoke these verses connected with the goal.

thag17.1:21 ‘One who, not free of stains themselves, would wear the robe stained in ocher, bereft of self-control and truth: they are not worthy of the ocher robe.

thag17.1:22 One who’s purged all their stains, steady in ethics, possessing truth and self-control: they are truly worthy of the ocher robe.’

thag17.1:23 Devoid of virtue, a simpleton, wild, doing what they like, their minds astray, indolent: they are not worthy of the ocher robe.

thag17.1:24 One accomplished in ethics, free of greed, serene, their heart’s intention pure: they are truly worthy of the ocher robe.

thag17.1:25 The haughty, insolent fool, who has no ethics at all, is worthy of a white robe— what use is an ocher robe for them?

thag17.1:26 In the future, monks and nuns with corrupt hearts, lacking regard for others, will disparage those with hearts of loving-kindness.

thag17.1:27 Though trained in wearing the robe by senior monks, simpletons will not listen, wild, doing what they like.

thag17.1:28 With that kind of attitude to training, those fools won’t respect each other, or take any notice of their mentors, like a wild colt with its charioteer.

thag17.1:29 Even so, in the future, this will be the practice of monks and nuns when the latter days have come.

thag17.1:30 Before this frightening future arrives, be easy to admonish, courteous in speech, and respect one another.

thag17.1:31 Have hearts of love and compassion, and please do keep your precepts. Be energetic, resolute, and always staunchly vigorous.

thag17.1:32 Seeing negligence as fearful, and diligence as a sanctuary, develop the eightfold path, realizing the state free of death.” …

The Book of the Thirties

Chapter One

Sāriputta

thag17.2:1 “One who’s mindful <j>as per their conduct and mindfulness, diligent <j>as per their intentions and meditation, happy inside, serene, solitary, contented: that is what they call a mendicant.

thag17.2:2 When eating fresh or dried food, one shouldn’t be overly replete. A mendicant should wander mindfully, with empty stomach, taking limited food.

thag17.2:3 Four or five mouthfuls before you’re full, drink some water; this is enough for a resolute mendicant to live in comfort.

thag17.2:4 If they cover themselves with a robe that’s allowable and fit for purpose; this is enough for a resolute mendicant to live in comfort.

thag17.2:5 When sitting cross-legged, the rain doesn’t fall on the knees; this is enough for a resolute mendicant to live in comfort.”

thag17.2:6 “When you’ve seen happiness as suffering, and suffering as a dart, and that there’s nothing between the two— what keeps you in the world? <j>What would you become?

thag17.2:7 Thinking, ‘May I have nothing to do <j>with those of bad wishes, lazy, lacking energy, unlearned, lacking regard for others’— what keeps you in the world? <j>What would you become?”

thag17.2:8 “An intelligent, learned person, steady in ethics, devoted to serenity of heart— let them stand at the head.”

thag17.2:9 “A beast who likes to proliferate, enjoying proliferation, fails to win extinguishment, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.

thag17.2:10 But one who gives up proliferation, enjoying the state of non-proliferation, wins extinguishment, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke.”

thag17.2:11 “Whether in the village or the wilderness, in a valley or the uplands, wherever the perfected ones live is a delightful place.”

thag17.2:12 “Delightful are the wildernesses where no people delight. Those free of greed will delight there, not those who seek sensual pleasures.”

thag17.2:13 “Regard one who sees your faults as a guide to a hidden treasure. Stay close to one so intelligent and astute who curbs you when you need it. Sticking close to such an impartial person, things get better, not worse.”

thag17.2:14 “Advise and instruct; curb wickedness: for you shall be loved by the good, and disliked by the bad.”

thag17.2:15 “The Blessed One, the Buddha, the seer was teaching Dhamma to another. As he taught the Dhamma, I lent an ear to get the meaning.

thag17.2:16 My listening wasn’t wasted: I’m freed, without defilements.”

thag17.2:17 “Not for knowledge of ages past, nor even for clairvoyance; not for psychic powers, <j>or encompassing the minds of others, nor for knowing people’s <j>passing away and resurrection; not for purifying the power of clairaudience, did I have any wish.”

thag17.2:18 “His only shelter is the foot of a tree; shaven, wrapped in his outer robe, the senior monk foremost in wisdom, Upatissa himself practices absorption.

thag17.2:19 When in a meditation free of placing the mind, a disciple of the Buddha is at that moment blessed with noble silence.

thag17.2:20 As a rocky mountain is unwavering and well grounded, so when delusion ends, a monk, like a mountain, doesn’t tremble.”

thag17.2:21 “To the man who has not a blemish, who is always seeking purity, even a hair-tip of evil seems as big as a stormcloud.”

thag17.2:22 “I don’t long for death; I don’t long for life; I will lay down this body, aware and mindful.

thag17.2:23 I don’t long for death; I don’t long for life; I await my time, like a worker waiting for their wages.”

thag17.2:24 “Both what came before and what follows after are nothing but death, not freedom from death. Practice, don’t perish— don’t let the moment pass you by.

thag17.2:25 Just like a frontier city, is guarded inside and out, so you should ward yourselves— don’t let the moment pass you by. For if you miss your moment you’ll grieve when sent to hell.”

thag17.2:26 “Calm and still, thoughtful in counsel, not restless— he shakes off bad qualities as the gale shakes leaves off a tree.

thag17.2:27 Calm and still, thoughtful in counsel, not restless— he plucks off bad qualities as the gale shakes leaves off a tree.

thag17.2:28 Calm and free of despair, clear and unclouded, of good morals, intelligent: one would make an end of suffering.”

thag17.2:29 “Some householders, and even some renunciants, are not to be trusted. Some who were good later become bad; while some who were bad become good.”

thag17.2:30 “Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness, and doubt: these are the five mental stains for a monk.”

thag17.2:31 “Whether they’re honored or not honored, or both, their immersion doesn’t waver as they abide in the immeasurables.

thag17.2:32 They persistently practice absorption with subtle view and discernment. Rejoicing in the ending of grasping, they’re said to be a true person.”

thag17.2:33 “The oceans and the earth, the mountains and the wind— no simile can do justice to the Teacher’s magnificent liberation.”

thag17.2:34 “The senior monk who keeps the wheel rolling, he is very wise and serene. Like earth, like water, like fire, he is neither attracted nor repelled.

thag17.2:35 He has attained the perfection of wisdom, so intelligent and thoughtful. He is bright, but seems to be dull; he always wanders, quenched.”

thag17.2:36 “I’ve served the Teacher and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions. The heavy burden is laid down, the leash to existence is eradicated.

thag17.2:37 Persist with diligence: this is my instruction. Come, I’ll be fully quenched— I am everywhere free.”

The Book of the Thirties

Chapter One

Ānanda

thag17.3:1 “The astute would not make friends with the slanderous or the hateful, with a miser or a gloater, for it’s bad to consort with reprobates.

thag17.3:2 The astute would make friends with the faithful and the pleasant, the wise and the learned, for it’s a blessing to consort with true persons.”

thag17.3:3 “See this fancy puppet, a body built of sores, diseased, obsessed over, in which nothing lasts at all.

thag17.3:4 See this fancy puppet, with its gems and earrings; it is bones swathed in skin, made pretty by its clothes.

thag17.3:5 Rouged feet and powdered face may be enough to beguile a fool, but not a seeker of the far shore.

thag17.3:6 Hair in eight braids and eyeshadow may be enough to beguile a fool, but not a seeker of the far shore.

thag17.3:7 A rotting body all adorned like a freshly painted makeup box may be enough to beguile a fool, but not a seeker of the far shore.”

thag17.3:8 “Gotama is learned, a brilliant speaker, the attendant to the Buddha. With burden put down, detached, Gotama made his bed.

thag17.3:9 Defilements ended, detached, he has got over clinging and become quenched. He bears his final body, having gone beyond birth and death.”

thag17.3:10 “Gotama stands firm on the path that leads to quenching, where the teachings of the Buddha, the Kinsman of the Sun, are grounded.”

thag17.3:11 “82,000 from the Buddha, and 2,000 more from the monks: 84,000 teachings I’ve learned, and these are what I promulgate.”

thag17.3:12 “A person of little learning ages like an ox— their flesh grows, but not their wisdom.

thag17.3:13 A learned person who, on account of their learning, looks down on someone of little learning, strikes me as like a blind man holding a lamp.

thag17.3:14 You should stay close to a learned person— don’t lose what you’ve learned. It is the root of the spiritual life, which is why you should memorize the teaching.

thag17.3:15 Knowing the sequence and meaning of the teaching, expert in the definition of terms, they make sure it is well memorized, and then examine the meaning.

thag17.3:16 Accepting the teachings, they become enthusiastic; making an attempt, they weigh up the teaching. When it’s time, they strive serene inside themselves.

thag17.3:17 If you want to understand the teaching, you should befriend that sort, who are learned and have memorized the teachings, wise disciples of the Buddha.

thag17.3:18 One who is learned <j>and has memorized the teaching, a keeper of the great seer’s treasury, is a visionary for the whole world, learned and honorable.

thag17.3:19 Delighting in the teaching, enjoying the teaching, contemplating the teaching, a mendicant who recollects the teaching doesn’t fall away from the true teaching.”

thag17.3:20 “When your body is pampered and heavy, while your remaining time is running out, greedy for physical pleasure, how can you be comfortable as an ascetic?”

thag17.3:21 “I’m completely disorientated! The teachings don’t spring to mind! With the passing of our good friend, everything seems dark.

thag17.3:22 When your friend has passed away, and your Teacher is past and gone, there’s no friend like mindfulness of the body.

thag17.3:23 The old have passed away, and I don’t agree with the new. Today I meditate alone like a bird snug in its nest.”

thag17.3:24 “Many visitors from abroad have come to visit. Don’t block the audience, let the congregation see me.”

thag17.3:25 “Lots of visitors from abroad have come to visit. The teacher grants them the opportunity, the Clear-eyed One doesn’t turn them away.”

thag17.3:26 “In the twenty five years that have passed since I became a trainee, no sensual perception has arisen in me: behold the clear rightness of the teaching!

thag17.3:27 In the twenty-five years since I became a trainee, no malicious perception has arisen in me: behold the clear rightness of the teaching!”

thag17.3:28 “For twenty-five years I attended on the Buddha with loving deeds, like a shadow that never left.

thag17.3:29 For twenty-five years I attended on the Buddha with loving words, like a shadow that never left.

thag17.3:30 For twenty-five years I attended on the Buddha with loving thoughts, like a shadow that never left.

thag17.3:31 While the Buddha was walking mindfully, I walked behind him. As he taught the Dhamma, knowledge arose in me.”

thag17.3:32 “I’m a trainee, who has more to do; my heart’s desire is still unfulfilled. Yet the Teacher, who was so compassionate to me, has become fully extinguished.

thag17.3:33 Then there was terror! Then they had goosebumps! When the Buddha, endowed with all fine qualities, was fully quenched.”

thag17.3:34 “Ānanda, who was learned <j>and had memorized the teaching, a keeper of the great seer’s treasury, a visionary for the entire world, has become fully quenched.

thag17.3:35 He was learned <j>and had memorized the teaching, a keeper of the great seer’s treasury, a visionary for the entire world, in thick of night he dispelled the dark.

thag17.3:36 He is the seer who remembered the teachings, and mastered their sequence, holding them firm. The senior monk who memorized the teaching, Ānanda was a mine of gems.”

thag17.3:37 “I’ve served the Teacher and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions. The heavy burden is laid down, now I await only my return to God.”