The Book of the Eights

Chapter One

Mahākaccāna

thag8.1:1 Don’t get involved in lots of work, avoid people, and don’t try to acquire things. If you’re eager and greedy for flavors, you’ll miss the goal that brings such happiness.

thag8.1:2 They know it really is a bog, this homage and veneration in respectable families. Honor is a subtle dart, hard to extract, and hard for a reprobate to give up.

thag8.1:3 The deeds of a mortal aren’t bad because of what others do. You yourself should not do bad, for mortals have deeds as their kin.

thag8.1:4 You’re not a bandit because of what someone says, you’re not a sage because of what someone says; but as you know yourself, so God will know you.

thag8.1:5 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.

thag8.1:6 A wise person lives on even after loss of wealth; but without gaining wisdom, even a rich person doesn’t really live.

thag8.1:7 All is heard with the ear, all is seen with the eye; the attentive ought not discard all that is seen and heard.

thag8.1:8 Though you have eyes, be as if blind; though you have ears, be as if deaf; though you have wisdom, be as if dumb; though you have strength, be as if feeble. And when issues come up lie as still as a corpse.

The Book of the Eights

Chapter One

Sirimitta

thag8.2:1 Free of anger and acrimony, free of deceit, and rid of slander; that’s how such a mendicant doesn’t grieve after passing away.

thag8.2:2 Free of anger and acrimony, free of deceit, and rid of slander; that’s how a mendicant <j>with sense doors always guarded doesn’t grieve after passing away.

thag8.2:3 Free of anger and acrimony, free of deceit, and rid of slander; that’s how a mendicant of good morals doesn’t grieve after passing away.

thag8.2:4 Free of anger and acrimony, free of deceit, and rid of slander; that’s how a mendicant with good friends doesn’t grieve after passing away.

thag8.2:5 Free of anger and acrimony, free of deceit, and rid of slander; that’s how a mendicant of good wisdom, doesn’t grieve after passing away.

thag8.2:6 Whoever has faith in the Realized One, unwavering and well grounded; whose ethical conduct is good, praised and loved by the noble ones;

thag8.2:7 who has confidence in the Saṅgha, and correct view: they’re said to be prosperous; their life is not in vain.

thag8.2:8 So let the wise devote themselves to faith, ethical behavior, confidence, and insight into the teaching, remembering the instructions of the Buddhas.

The Book of the Eights

Chapter One

Mahāpanthaka

thag8.3:1 When I first saw the Teacher who fears nothing from any quarter, I was struck with a sense of urgency, seeing the supreme among men.

thag8.3:2 Anyone who, having found such a Teacher, would lose them again, is like one who, when approached by Lady Luck, would ward her off with their hands and feet.

thag8.3:3 Then I left behind my children and wives, my riches and my grain; I had my hair and beard cut off, and went forth to homelessness.

thag8.3:4 Endowed with the monastic training and livelihood, my sense faculties well-restrained, paying homage to the Buddha, I meditated undefeated.

thag8.3:5 Then a wish occurred to me, my heart’s truest wish: I wouldn’t sit down, not even for a short while, until the dart of craving was plucked.

thag8.3:6 As I meditate like this, see my energy and vigor! I’ve attained the three knowledges, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

thag8.3:7 I remember the lessons of the past, my clairvoyance is clarified; I’m perfected, worthy of offerings, liberated, free of attachments.

thag8.3:8 Then, at the end of the night, as the rising of the sun drew near, all craving was dried up, so I sat down cross-legged.