The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Nāgasamāla

thag4.1:1 Adorned with jewelry and all dressed up, with garlands, and sandalwood makeup piled on, along the main street is a lady— a dancer dancing as the music plays.

thag4.1:2 I entered for alms, and while walking along I glanced at her, adorned with jewelry and all dressed up, set up like a snare of death.

thag4.1:3 Then the realization came upon me— the danger became clear, and I grew firmly disillusioned.

thag4.1:4 Then my mind was freed— behold the clear rightness of the teaching! I’ve attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Bhagu

thag4.2:1 Overwhelmed by drowsiness, I left my dwelling. Stepping up to the path for walking meditation, I fell to the ground right there.

thag4.2:2 I rubbed my limbs, and again I stepped up on the path for walking meditation. I walked meditation up and down the path, serene inside myself.

thag4.2:3 Then the realization came upon me— the danger became clear, and I grew firmly disillusioned.

thag4.2:4 Then my mind was freed— behold the clear rightness of the teaching! I’ve attained the three knowledges, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Sabhiya

thag4.3:1 When others do not understand, let us, who do understand this, restrain ourselves in this regard; for that is how conflicts are laid to rest.

thag4.3:2 And when those who don’t understand behave as though they were immortal, those who understand the Dhamma are like the healthy among the sick.

thag4.3:3 Any lax act, any corrupt observance, or suspicious spiritual life, is not very fruitful.

thag4.3:4 Whoever has no respect for their spiritual companions is as far from true Dhamma as the firmament from the earth.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Nandaka (2nd)

thag4.4:1 Curse you mortal frame, you stink! You’re on Satan’s side, you fester! O body, you have nine streams that are flowing all the time.

thag4.4:2 Don’t think much of mortal frames; don’t disparage the Realized Ones. They’re not even aroused by paradise, let alone by humans.

thag4.4:3 But those who are fools and simpletons, with bad advisors, wrapped in delusion, that kind of person is aroused by bodies, when Satan has laid down the snare.

thag4.4:4 Those in whom greed, hate, and ignorance have faded away; such people are not aroused by bodies, they’ve cut the strings, unbound.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Jambuka

thag4.5:1 For fifty-five years I wore dust and dirt. Eating one meal a month, I tore out my hair and beard.

thag4.5:2 I stood on one foot; I shunned seats; I ate dried-out dung; I didn’t accept food set aside for me.

thag4.5:3 I did many deeds of this kind, which lead to a bad destination. Swept away by a great flood, I went to the Buddha for refuge.

thag4.5:4 See the going for refuge! Behold the clear rightness of the teaching! I’ve attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Senaka

thag4.6:1 It was so welcome for me during the Gayā spring festival to see the Awakened One teaching the supreme Dhamma.

thag4.6:2 He was glorious, the tutor of a community, a leader who had realized the highest. In all the world with its heavenly hosts, he was the victor of unequaled vision.

thag4.6:3 A great giant, a great hero, a great light free of defilement. With the utter ending of all defilements, the Teacher fears nothing from any quarter.

thag4.6:4 For a long time, sadly, I was corrupted, fettered by the bond of wrong view. That Blessed One, Senaka, released me from all ties.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Sambhūta

thag4.7:1 Hurrying when it’s time to dawdle; dawdling when it’s time to hurry; being so disorganized a fool falls into suffering.

thag4.7:2 Their good fortune wastes away like the moon in the waning fortnight. They become disgraced and alienated from their friends.

thag4.7:3 Dawdling when it’s time to dawdle; hurrying when it’s time to hurry; being so well organized, an astute person comes into happiness.

thag4.7:4 Their good fortune flourishes like the moon in the waxing fortnight. They become famous and respected, not alienated from their friends.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Rāhula

thag4.8:1 I am known as “Fortunate Rāhula”, because I’m accomplished in both ways: I am the son of the Buddha, whose eye sees clearly in all things.

thag4.8:2 Since my defilements have ended, since I await only my return to God— I’m perfected, worthy of offerings, master of the three knowledges, <j>seer of freedom from death.

thag4.8:3 Blinded by sensual pleasures, trapped in a net, they are smothered over by craving; bound by the kinsman of the negligent, like a fish caught in a funnel-net trap.

thag4.8:4 Having thrown off those sensual pleasures, having cut Satan’s bond, and having plucked out craving, root and all: I’m cooled, quenched.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Candana

thag4.9:1 Covered over with gold, surrounded by all her maids, with my son upon her hip, my wife came to me.

thag4.9:2 I saw her coming, the mother of my son, adorned with jewelry and all dressed up, set up like a snare of death.

thag4.9:3 Then the realization came upon me— the danger became clear, and I was firmly disillusioned.

thag4.9:4 Then my mind was freed— behold the clear rightness of the teaching! I’ve attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Dhammika

thag4.10:1 “Dhamma surely protects <j>one who practices Dhamma. The teaching brings happiness when practiced well. This is the benefit of practicing Dhamma: one doesn’t go to a bad destination.

thag4.10:2 It’s not the case that Dhamma <j>and what is not Dhamma lead to the same results. What is not Dhamma leads to hell, while Dhamma takes you to a good place.

thag4.10:3 So you should rouse up enthusiasm for the teachings; such rejoicing is owing to the Holy One, <j>the unaffected. The disciples of the excellent Holy One <j>are firm in the teaching; those attentive ones are led on, <j>headed to the very best of refuges.”

thag4.10:4 “The boil has been burst from its root, the net of craving is eradicated. He has ended worldly craving, he has nothing, he’s like the full moon on a bright night.”

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Sappaka

thag4.11:1 When the crane with its beautiful white wings, startled by fear of the dark cloud, flees, seeking shelter— then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

thag4.11:2 When the crane, so very pure and white, startled by fear of the dark rcloud, seeks a cave to shelter in, but can’t see one— then the River Ajakaraṇī delights me.

thag4.11:3 Who wouldn’t be delighted by the black plum trees that grace both banks of the river, there, behind my cave?

thag4.11:4 Well rid of the pack of jackals, <j>mad for the dead, the lazy frogs croak: “Today is no time to stray from mountain streams; Ajakaraṇī is safe, pleasant, and delightful.”

The Book of the Fours

Chapter One

Mudita

thag4.12:1 I went forth to save my life. But I embraced faith after receiving full ordination. I strove, strong in effort:

thag4.12:2 Gladly, let this body be broken! Let this scrap of meat disintegrate! Let both my legs fall off at the knees!

thag4.12:3 I won’t eat, I won’t drink, I won’t leave my dwelling, nor will I lie down on my side, until the dart of craving is plucked.

thag4.12:4 As I meditate like this, see my energy and vigor! I’ve attained the three knowledges and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.