Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Perfectly Enlightened One
The Collection of Minor Texts
Minor Readings
1.
The Three Refuges
I go for refuge to the Teaching;
I go for refuge to the Community.
For the second time I go for refuge to the Teaching;
For the second time I go for refuge to the Community.
For the third time I go for refuge to the Teaching;
For the third time I go for refuge to the Community.
The Three Refuges is finished.
2.
The Ten Training Rules
1. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from the destruction of life.
2. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from taking what is not given.
3. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from non-celibacy.
4. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from false speech.
5. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from intoxicants which cause heedlessness.
6. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from eating at the wrong time.
7. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from dancing, singing, music and watching shows.
8. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from wearing garlands, using perfumes, cosmetics, ornaments and decorations.
9. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from high and luxurious beds.
10. I undertake the training rule of abstinence from accepting gold and silver.
The Ten Training Rules are finished.
3.
The Thirty-two Aspects (of the Body)
In this body there are -
Flesh, sinews, bones, bone-marrow, kidneys,
Heart, liver, membrane, spleen, lungs,
Bowels, mesentery, undigested food, excrement, brain,
Bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat,
Tears, grease, saliva, snot, oil of the joints, urine.
The Thirty-two Aspects (of the Body) is finished.
4.
Questions for a Young Novice
1. "What is the one?" "All beings are maintained by nutriment."
2. "What are the two?" "Name and form."
3. "What are the three?" "Three feelings."
4. "What are the four?" "Four noble truths."
5. "What are the five?" "Five aggregates of clinging."
6. "What are the six?" "Six internal sense bases."
7. "What is seven?" "The seven enlightenment factors."
8. "What is eight?" "The Noble Eightfold Path."
9. "What is nine?" "The nine abodes of beings."
10. "What is ten?" "One endowed with ten factors is called 'arahant'."
Questions for a Young Novice are finished.
5.
The Discourse on Blessings
1. Thus have I heard - On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. Then a certain deity, when the night was far advanced, illuminating the whole of Jeta's Grove with her surpassing beauty, approached the Blessed One; having approached, she paid homage to the Blessed One and stood to one side. Standing to one side, that deity addressed the Blessed One in verse -
2.
Longing for well-being, tell me the highest blessing."
3.
Honouring those worthy of honour - this is the highest blessing.
4.
Right self-determination - this is the highest blessing.
5.
And well-spoken speech - this is the highest blessing.
6.
And peaceful actions - this is the highest blessing.
7.
Blameless actions - this is the highest blessing.
8.
Diligence in the Teaching - this is the highest blessing.
9.
Timely listening to the Teaching - this is the highest blessing.
10.
Timely discussion of the Teaching - this is the highest blessing.
11.
And the realization of extinction of defilements - this is the highest blessing.
12.
Sorrowless, stainless, secure - this is the highest blessing.
13.
They go everywhere in safety - that is their highest blessing."
The Discourse on Blessings is finished.
6.
The Discourse on the Superb Jewels
1.
May all beings be happy-minded, and moreover listen attentively to what is spoken.
2.
Day and night they bring offerings, therefore protect them diligently.
3.
None is equal to the Truth Finder, this too is a sublime treasure in the Buddha;
By this truth may there be well-being.
4.
Nothing equals that Teaching, this too is a sublime treasure in the Teaching;
By this truth may there be well-being.
5.
No concentration is found equal to that, this too is a sublime treasure in the Teaching;
By this truth may there be well-being.
6.
They are worthy of offerings, disciples of the Fortunate One, gifts given to them are of great fruit;
This too is a sublime treasure in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
7.
Having attained the attainment, having plunged into the Deathless, having freely gained they enjoy being quenched;
This too is a sublime treasure in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
8.
Such, I say, is the superior person, who sees the noble truths with penetration;
This too is a sublime treasure in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
9.
However greatly heedless they may be, they do not take an eighth existence;
This too is a sublime treasure in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
10.
Identity view and doubt, and whatever rules and observances there are.
11.
This too is a sublime treasure in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
12.
One is incapable of concealing it: this inability is declared of one who has seen the state;
This too is a sublime treasure in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
13.
He taught the supreme Teaching that is similar, leading to Nibbāna for the highest welfare;
This too is a sublime treasure in the Buddha, by this truth may there be well-being.
14.
This too is a sublime treasure in the Buddha, by this truth may there be well-being.
15.
They, with seeds destroyed, with no desire for growth, the wise become extinct just as this lamp;
This too is a sublime treasure in the Community, by this truth may there be well-being.
16.
We pay homage to the Truth Finder, honoured by deities and human beings, the Enlightened One, may there be well-being.
17.
We pay homage to the Teaching of the Truth Finder, honoured by deities and human beings, may there be well-being.
18.
We pay homage to the Community of the Truth Finder, honoured by deities and human beings, may there be well-being.
The Discourse on the Superb Jewels is finished.
7.
The Discourse on Those Outside the Walls
1.
They stand at the door posts, having come to their own homes.
2.
No one remembers them, these beings, due to their actions.
3.
Pure and sublime, at the right time, allowable drink and food;
"May this be for our relatives, may our relatives be happy."
4.
With abundant food and drink, respectfully they rejoice.
5.
Honour has been done to us, and the givers are not without fruit."
6.
There is no such trading there, no buying and selling with gold;
The departed ones who have died there live on what is given from here.
7.
Even so what is given from here accrues to the ghosts.
8.
Even so what is given from here accrues to the ghosts.
9.
One should give offerings to the ghosts, recollecting what was done before.
10.
Is of any benefit to the ghosts, when relatives remain thus.
11.
It accrues immediately for their welfare for a long time.
12.
And strength has been given to the monks, by you no small merit has been produced.
The Discourse on Those Outside the Walls is concluded.
8.
The Discourse on the Treasure Trove
1.
When need or purpose arises, it will be for my benefit.
2.
For release from debt, or in times of famine and calamities;
For this purpose in the world, what is called treasure is stored.
3.
Not all of it is always useful to that person.
4.
Or dragons remove it, or spirits carry it away.
5.
When merit is destroyed, all this perishes.
6.
A treasure is well stored, whether for woman or man.
7.
For mother and father too, and also the eldest brother.
8.
Among things to be abandoned when departing, this one goes taking it.
9.
The wise one should perform meritorious deeds, which is the treasure that follows along.
10.
Whatever they wish for, all is obtained through this.
11.
Sovereignty and retinue, all this is obtained through this.
12.
Even sovereignty among deities, all this is obtained through this.
13.
And the success of Nibbāna, all this is obtained through this.
14.
True knowledge, liberation, and mastery, all this is obtained through this.
15.
Individual enlightenment and the plane of a Buddha, all this is obtained through this.
16.
Therefore the wise praise those wise ones who have done meritorious deeds.
The Discourse on the Treasure Trove is finished.
9.
The Discourse on Friendliness
1.
Able, upright and very upright, easy to admonish, gentle and not arrogant.
2.
With peaceful faculties and alert, not impudent, not greedy among families.
3.
May they be happy and secure, may all beings have happy minds.
4.
Whether they are long or great, middling, short, subtle or gross.
5.
Whether beings who have come to be or those yet to come to be, may all beings have happy minds.
6.
Due to anger and hostile perception, let none wish suffering for another.
7.
Even so towards all beings, one should develop a boundless mind.
8.
Above, below, and across, unconfined, without animosity and without enmity.
9.
One should establish this mindfulness, this is said to be the divine abode here.
10.
Having removed greed for sensual pleasures, one indeed never returns to lie in a womb again.
The Discourse on Friendliness is finished.
The Minor Readings is finished.