The Book of the Sevens

Chapter One

Sundarasamudda

thag7.1:1 Adorned with jewelry and all dressed up, with her garland and her makeup on, and her feet so brightly rouged: the courtesan was wearing slippers.

thag7.1:2 Taking off her slippers in front of me, her palms joined in greeting, smiling, she spoke to me so softly and so sweet:

thag7.1:3 “You’re too young to go forth— come, stay in my teaching! Enjoy human sensual pleasures, I’ll give you riches. I promise this is the truth— I swear it by the Sacred Flame.

thag7.1:4 And when we’ve grown old together, both of us leaning on staffs, we shall both go forth, and hold a winning hand on both counts.”

thag7.1:5 I saw the courtesan seducing me, her palms joined in greeting, adorned with jewelry and all dressed up, set up like a snare of death.

thag7.1:6 Then the realization came upon me— the danger became clear and I grew firmly disillusioned.

thag7.1:7 Then my mind was freed— see the excellence of the Dhamma! I’ve attained the three knowledges, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter One

Bhaddiya the Dwarf

thag7.2:1 Bhaddiya has plucked out craving, root and all, and in a jungle thicket on the far side of the Wild Mango Monastery, he practices absorption; he is truly well-favored.

thag7.2:2 Some delight in clay drums, in arched harps, and in cymbals. But here, at the foot of a tree, I delight in the Buddha’s teaching.

thag7.2:3 If the Buddha were to grant me one wish, and I were to get what I wished for, I’d choose for the whole world constant mindfulness of the body.

thag7.2:4 Those who’ve judged me on appearance, and those swayed by my voice, are full of desire and greed; they don’t know me.

thag7.2:5 Not knowing what’s inside, nor seeing what’s outside, the fool shut in on every side, gets carried away by a voice.

thag7.2:6 Not knowing what’s inside, but discerning what’s outside, seeing the fruit outside, they’re also carried away by a voice.

thag7.2:7 Understanding what’s inside, and discerning what’s outside, of unhindered vision, they don’t get carried away by a voice.

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter One

Bhadda

thag7.3:1 I was an only child, loved by my mother and father. They had me by practicing many supplications and observances.

thag7.3:2 Out of sympathy for me wishing me well and wanting the best for me, my mother and father took me to see the Buddha.

thag7.3:3 “We had this son with difficulty; he is delicate and pampered. We offer him to you, Lord, to attend upon the victor.”

thag7.3:4 The teacher, having accepted me, declared to Ānanda: “Quickly give him the going-forth— this one will be a thoroughbred!”

thag7.3:5 After he, the Teacher, had sent me forth, the victor entered his dwelling. Before the sun set my mind was freed.

thag7.3:6 Consequently, the Teacher didn’t neglect me; when he came out from seclusion, he said: “Come Bhadda!” That was my ordination.

thag7.3:7 At seven years old I received ordination. I’ve attained the three knowledges; oh, the clear rightness of the teaching!

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter One

Sopāka (2nd)

thag7.4:1 I saw the supreme man walking mindfully in the shade of the terrace, so I approached, and bowed to the supreme among men.

thag7.4:2 Arranging my robe over one shoulder and clasping my hands together, I walked alongside that stainless one, supreme among all beings.

thag7.4:3 The wise one, expert in questions, questioned me. Brave and fearless, I answered the Teacher.

thag7.4:4 When all his questions were answered, the Realized One congratulated me. Looking around the mendicant Saṅgha, he said the following:

thag7.4:5 “It is a blessing for the people of Aṅga and Magadha that this person enjoys their robe and almsfood, requisites and lodgings, their respect and service— it’s a blessing for them,” he declared.

thag7.4:6 “Sopāka, from this day on you are invited to come and see me. And Sopāka, let this be your ordination.”

thag7.4:7 At seven years old I received ordination. I bear my final body— oh, the clear rightness of the teaching!

The Book of the Sevens

Chapter One

Sarabhaṅga

thag7.5:1 I broke the reeds off with my hands, made a hut, and stayed there. That’s how I became known as “Reed-breaker”.

thag7.5:2 But now it’s not appropriate for me to break reeds with my hands. The training rules have been laid down for us by Gotama the renowned.

thag7.5:3 Previously, I, Sarabhaṅga, didn’t see the disease in its entirety. But now I have seen the disease, by the messenger of truth.

thag7.5:4 Gotama traveled by that direct route; the same path traveled by Vipassī, by Sikhī, Vessabhū, Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, and Kassapa.

thag7.5:5 These seven Buddhas have plunged into the ending, free of craving, without grasping, having become Dhamma, unaffected. They have taught this Dhamma

thag7.5:6 out of compassion for living creatures— suffering, origin, path, and cessation, the ending of suffering. In these four noble truths,

thag7.5:7 the endless suffering of worldly bondage finally comes to an end. When the body breaks up, and life comes to an end, there is no return to this world; I’m everywhere well freed.