The Book of the Twos

Abhirūpanandā

thig2.1:1 Nandā, see this bag of bones as diseased, filthy, and rotten. With mind unified and serene, meditate on the ugly aspects of the body.

thig2.1:2 Meditate on the signless, give up the tendency to conceit; and when you comprehend conceit, you will live at peace.

thig2.1:3 That is how the Buddha regularly advised the trainee nun Nandā with these verses.

The Book of the Twos

Jentā

thig2.2:1 Of the seven awakening factors, the path for attaining extinguishment, I have developed them all, just as the Buddha taught.

thig2.2:2 For I have seen the Blessed One, and this bag of bones is spent. The wandering of heedlessness is finished, now I await the Hereafter in peace.

thig2.2:3 That is how these verses were recited by the senior nun Jentā.

The Book of the Twos

Sumaṅgala’s Mother

thig2.3:1 I’m well freed, well freed, so very well freed from the pestle! My shameless husband was most certainly a mushroom, my mortar wafted like an eel.

thig2.3:2 Greed and hate sizzle and hiss as I squelch them. Having gone to the root of a tree, I meditate happily, thinking, “Oh, what bliss!”

The Book of the Twos

Aḍḍhakāsi

thig2.4:1 The price for my services amounted to the nation of Kāsi. By setting that price, the townsfolk made me priceless.

thig2.4:2 Then, growing disillusioned with my form, I became dispassionate. Don’t journey on and on, wandering in heedlessness! I’ve realized the three knowledges, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Twos

Cittā

thig2.5:1 Even though I’m skinny, sick, and very feeble, I climb the mountain, leaning on a staff.

thig2.5:2 Having laid down my outer robe, and overturned my bowl, propping myself against a rock, I shattered the mass of darkness.

The Book of the Twos

Mettikā

thig2.6:1 Though in pain, feeble, my youth long gone, I climb the mountain, leaning on a staff.

thig2.6:2 Having laid down my outer robe and overturned my bowl, sitting on a rock, my mind was freed. I’ve attained the three knowledges, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Twos

Mittā (2nd)

thig2.7:1 I rejoiced in the host of angels, having observed the sabbath complete in all eight factors, on the fourteenth and the fifteenth days,

thig2.7:2 and the eighth day of the fortnight, as well as on the fortnightly special displays. Today I eat just once a day, my head is shaven, I wear the outer robe. I don’t long for the heavenly host, for stress has been removed from my heart.

The Book of the Twos

To Abhayā’s Mother From Her Daughter

thig2.8:1 My dear mother, examine this body, up from the soles of the feet, and down from the tips of the hairs, so impure and foul-smelling.

thig2.8:2 Meditating like this, all my lust is eradicated. The fever of passion is cut off, I’m cooled and quenched.

The Book of the Twos

Abhayā

thig2.9:1 Abhayā, the body is fragile, yet ordinary people are attached to it. I’ll lay down the body, aware and mindful.

thig2.9:2 Though subject to so many painful things, I have, through my love of diligence, reached the ending of craving, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.

The Book of the Twos

Sāmā

thig2.10:1 Four or five times I left my dwelling. I had failed to find peace of heart, or any control over my mind. Now it is the eighth night since craving was eradicated.

thig2.10:2 Though subject to so many painful things, I have, through my love of diligence, reached the ending of craving, and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.