A New Course in Reading Pali

Lesson IV - Readings

Exercise 1

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, cattaaro’me sama.nabraahma.naana.m upakkilesaa, yehi upakkilesehi upakkili.t.thaa eke sama.nabraahma.naa na tapanti, na bhaasanti, na virocanti.
Similarly, monks, there are these four defilements of Brahmins and recluses, tainted with which, some Brahmins and recluses do not shine, are not lustrous, and are dim.

Katame cattaaro?
What are these four?

Santi, bhikkhave, eke sama.nabraahma.naa sura.m pivanti meraya.m, suraamerayapaanaa appa.tivirataa. Aya.m, bhikkhave, pa.thamo sama.nabraahma.naana.m upakkileso, yena upakkilesena upakkili.t.thaa eke sama.nabraahma.naa na tapanti, na bhaasanti, na virocanti.
There are, monks, some Brahmins and recluses that drink wine and liquor, and show no restraint from drinking wine and liquor. This, monks, is the first defilement of Brahmins and recluses, tainted with which, some Brahmins and recluses do not shine, are not lustrous, and are dim.

Santi, bhikkhave, eke sama.nabraahma.naa methuna.m dhamma.m patisevanti, methunasmaa dhammaa appa.tivirataa. Aya.m, bhikkhave, dutiyo sama.nabraahma.naana.m upakkileso yena upakkilesena upakkili.t.thaa eke sama.nabraahma.naa na tapanti, na bhaasanti, na virocanti.
There are, monks, some Brahmins and recluses that indulge in sexual intercourse, and show no restraint from sexual intercourse. This, monks, is the second defilement of Brahmins and recluses, tainted with which, some Brahmins and recluses do not shine, are not lustrous, and are dim.

Santi, bhikkhave, eke sama.nabraahma.naa jaataruuparajata.m saadiyanti, jaataruuparajatapa.tiggaha.naa appa.tivirataa. Aya.m, bhikkhave, tatiyo sama.nabraahma.naana.m upakkileso yena upakkilesena upakkili.t.thaa eke sama.nabraahma.naa na tapanti, na bhaasanti, na virocanti.
There are, monks, some Brahmins and recluses that appropriate gold and silver, and show no restraint from receiving gold and silver. This, monks, is the third defilement of Brahmins and recluses, tainted with which, some Brahmins and recluses do not shine, are not lustrous, and are dim.

Santi, bhikkhave, eke sama.nabraahma.naa micchaajiivena jiivanti, micchaajiivaa appa.tivirataa. Aya.m, bhikkhave, catuttho sama.nabraahma.naana.m upakkileso yena upakkilesena upakkili.t.thaa eke sama.nabraahma.naa na tapanti, na bhaasanti, na virocanti.
There are, monks, some Brahmins and recluses that live by wrong livelihood, and show no restraint from wrong livelihood. This, monks, is the fourth defilement of Brahmins and recluses, tainted with which, some Brahmins and recluses do not shine, are not lustrous, and are dim.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattaaro sama.nabraahma.naana.m upakkilesaa, yehi upakkilesehi upakkili.t.thaa eke sama.nabraahma.naa na tapanti, na bhaasanti, na virocantiiti.
Indeed these, monks, are the four defilements of Brahmins and recluses, tainted with which, some Brahmins and recluses do not shine, are not lustrous, and are dim.

Sura.m pivanti meraya.m
pa.tisevanti methuna.m
Rajata.m jaataruupa.m ca
saadiyanti aviddasu
Micchaajiivena jiivanti
eke sama.nabraahma.naa.
Some Brahmins and recluses drink wine and liquor,
Indulge in sexual intercourse,
Ignorantly appropriate gold and silver,
And live by wrong livelihood.

(A.N. 4.5.10. [4.50] Rohitassavaggo, Upakkilesasutta.m)

Exercise 2

Bhojana.m, Suppavaase, dentii ariyasaavikaa pa.tiggaahakaana.m cattaari .thaanaani deti.
The noble female disciple who gives food, Suppavase, to recipients, provides four conditions.

Katamaani cattaari?
What four?

Aayu.m deti, va.n.na.m deti, sukha.m deti, bala.m deti.
She gives long life, health, well-being, and strength.

Aayu.m kho pana datvaa aayussa bhaaginii hoti dibbassa vaa maanusassa vaa. Va.n.na.m datvaa va.n.nassa bhaaginii hoti dibbassa vaa maanusassa vaa. Sukha.m datvaa sukhassa bhaaginii hoti dibbassa vaa maanusassa vaa. Bala.m datvaa balassa bhaaginii hoti dibbassa vaa maanusassa vaa.
Then indeed having given long life, she herself is a participant in long life either divine or human. Having given health, she is a participant in health, either divine or human. Having given contentment, she is a participant in contentment, either divine or human. Having given strength, she is a participant in strength, either divine or human.

Bhojana.m, Suppavaase, dentii ariyasaavikaa pa.tiggaahakaana.m imaani cattaari .thaanaani detiiti.
Suppavase, the noble female disciple who gives food to those who need it, provides these four conditions.

(A.N. 4.6.7. [4.57] Puññabhisandavaggo, Suppavaasaasutta.m)

Exercise 3

Na bhaje paapake mitte - na bhaje purisaadhame;
Bhajetha mitte kalyaa.ne - bhajetha purisuttame.
Do not associate with wicked friends, nor with unrighteous people.
Associate with virtuous friends, with the noblest people.

(Dhp. 6:78)

Sabbe tasanti da.ndassa - sabbe bhaayanti maccuno;
Attaana.m upama.m katvaa - na haneyya na ghaataye.
All fear punishment, and all fear death.
Having drawn an analogy to yourself, do not kill nor cause to be killed.

Sabbe tasanti da.ndassa - sabbesa.m jiivita.m piya.m;
Attaana.m upama.m katvaa - na haneyya na ghaataye.
All fear punishment, life is dear to all.
Having drawn an analogy to yourself, do not kill nor cause to be killed.

(Dhp. 10:129-130)

Bahu.m pi ce sahita.m bhaasamaano - na takkaro hoti naro pamatto
gopo’va gaavo ga.naya.m paresa.m - na bhaagavaa saamaññassa hoti.
Even if he recites much the scriptures, but does not practice them, a lazy man
Is like a cowherd counting the cattle of others, and is not a participant in the holy life.

Appa.m pi ce sahita.m bhaasamaano - dhammassa hoti anudhammacaarii
raagañ ca dosañ ca pahaaya moha.m - sammappajaano suvimuttacitto
anupaadiyaano idha vaa hura.m vaa - sa bhaagavaa saamaññassa hoti.
Even if he recites little the scriptures, the one who acts in accordance with the Dhamma,
Having renounced greed, anger, and delusion, he is a fully comprehending one with a well-freed mind;
he is freed from clinging in this world and the next; and he is a participant in the holy life.

(Dhp. 1:19-20)

Piyato jaayatii soko - piyato jaayatii bhaya.m;
Piyato vippamuttassa - n’atthi soko, kuto bhaya.m?
Sorrow arises from pleasure, as does fear;
For one who is freed from pleasure, there is no sorrow, and where is fear?

Pemato jaayatii soko - pemato jaayatii bhaya.m;
Pemato vippamuttassa - n’atthi soko, kuto bhaya.m?
Sorrow arises from affection, as does fear;
For one who is freed from affection, there is no sorrow, and where is fear?

(Dhp. 16:212-213)

Ratiyaa jaayatii soko - ratiyaa jaayatii bhaya.m;
Ratiyaa vippamuttassa - n’atthi soko, kuto bhaya.m?
Sorrow arises from attachment, as does fear;
For one who is freed from attachment, there is no sorrow, and where is fear?

Kaamato jaayatii soko - kaamato jaayatii bhaya.m;
Kaamato vippamuttassa, n’atthi soko, kuto bhaya.m?
Sorrow arises from lust, as does fear;
For one who is freed from lust, there is no sorrow, and where is fear?

Ta.nhaaya jaayatii soko - ta.nhaaya jaayatii bhaya.m;
Ta.nhaaya vippamuttassa - n’atthi soko, kuto bhaya.m?
Sorrow arises from craving, as does fear;
For one who is freed from craving, there is no sorrow, and where is fear?

(Dhp. 16:214-216)

Lesson IV - Further Readings

Exercise 1

Dve’maa, bhikkhave, parisaa.
Monks, there are these two types of assemblies.

Katamaa dve?
What two?

Uttaanaa ca parisaa gambhiiraa ca parisaa.
There are shallow assemblies and deep assemblies.

Katamaa ca, bhikkhave, uttaanaa parisaa?
And what, monks, is a shallow assembly?

Idha, bhikkhave, yassa.m parisaaya.m bhikkhuu uddhataa honti unna.laa capalaa mukharaa viki.n.navaacaa … asampajaanaa asamaahitaa vibbhantacittaa paakat’indriyaa.
Here, monks, in this type of assembly monks are agitated, proud, fickle, garrulous, loose-talking … unmindful, uncollected, with wandering minds, and unbridled faculties.

Aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave, uttaanaa parisaa.
This, monks, is called a shallow assembly.

Katamaa ca, bhikkhave, gambhiiraa parisaa?
And what, monks, is a deep assembly?

Idha, bhikkhave, yassa.m parisaaya.m bhikkhuu anuddhataa honti anunna.laa acapalaa amukharaa aviki.n.navaacaa … sampajaanaa samaahitaa ekaggacittaa sa.mvut’indriyaa.
Here, monks, in this type of assembly monks are balanced, humble, steadfast, quiet, not loose-talking … mindful, collected, with one-pointed minds, and restrained faculties.

Aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave, gambhiiraa parisaa.
This, monks, is called a deep assembly.

Imaa kho, bhikkhave, dve parisaa.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of assemblies.

(A.N.2.5.1. [2.43] Parisavaggo)

Dve’maa, bhikkhave, parisaa.
Monks, there are these two types of assemblies.

Katamaa dve?
What two?

Vaggaa ca parisaa samaggaa ca parisaa.
There are dissentious assemblies and united assemblies.

Katamaa ca, bhikkhave, vaggaa parisaa?
And what, monks, is a dissentious assembly?

Idha, bhikkhave, yassa.m parisaaya.m bhikkhuu bha.n.danajaataa kalahajaataa vivaadaapannaa … viharanti.
Here, monks, in this type of assembly monks live quarrelsome, disputing, arguing.

Aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave, vaggaa parisaa.
This, monks, is called a dissentious assembly.

Katamaa ca, bhikkhave, samaggaa parisaa?
And what, monks, is a united assembly?

Idha, bhikkhave, yassa.m parisaaya.m bhikkhuu samaggaa sammodamaanaa avivadamaanaa khiirodakiibhuutaa … viharanti.
Here, monks, in this type of assembly monks live united, in agreement, non-disputing, harmonious as milk and water.

Aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave, samaggaa parisaa.
This, monks, is called a united assembly.

Imaa kho, bhikkhave, dve parisaa.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of assemblies.

(A.N.2.5.2. [2.44] Parisavaggo)

Dve’maa, bhikkhave, parisaa.
Monks, there are these two types of assemblies.

Katamaa dve?
What two?

Visamaa ca parisaa samaa ca parisaa.
There are unharmonious assemblies and harmonious assemblies.

Katamaa ca, bhikkhave, visamaa parisaa?
And what, monks, is an unharmonious assembly?

Idha, bhikkhave, yassa.m parisaaya.m adhammakammaani pavattanti dhammakammaani nappavattanti, avinayakammaani pavattanti vinayakammaani nappavattanti, adhammakammaani dippanti dhammakammaani na dippanti, avinayakammaani dippanti vinayakammaani na dippanti.
Here, monks, in this type of assembly monks perform unrighteous actions, and do not perform righteous actions; they perform unethical actions, and do not perform ethical actions; they are illustrious with unrighteous actions, and not with righteous actions; they are illustrious with unethical actions, and not with ethical actions.

Aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave, visamaa parisaa.
This, monks, is called an unharmonious assembly.

Katamaa ca, bhikkhave, samaa parisaa?
And what, monks, is a harmonious assembly?

Idha, bhikkhave, yassa.m parisaaya.m dhammakammaani pavattanti adhammakammaani nappavattanti, vinayakammaani pavattanti avinayakammaani nappavattanti, dhammakammaani dippanti adhammakammaani na dippanti, vinayakammaani dippanti avinayakammaani na dippanti.
Here, monks, in this type of assembly monks perform righteous actions, and do not perform unrighteous actions; they perform ethical actions, and do not perform unethical actions; they are illustrious with righteous actions, and not with unrighteous actions; they are illustrious with ethical actions, and not with unethical actions.

Aya.m vuccati, bhikkhave, samaa parisaa.
This, monks, is called a harmonious assembly.

Imaa kho, bhikkhave, dve parisaa.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of assemblies.

(A.N.2.5.8. [2.50] Parisavaggo)

Exercise 2

Appamaado amatapada.m - pamaado maccuno pada.m;
appamattaa na miiyanti - ye pamattaa yathaa mataa.
Diligence is the path to the deathless – negligence the path to death;
The diligent do not die – the negligent are as if dead already.

Eva.m visesato ñatvaa - appamaadamhi pa.n.ditaa;
appamaade pamodanti - ariyaana.m gocare rataa.
Having completely understood this about diligence, the wise
Rejoice in diligence, delighting in the sphere of the nobles.

(Dhp. 2:21-22)

Udaka.m hi nayanti nettikaa - usukaaraa namayanti tejana.m.
daaru.m namayanti tacchakaa - attaana.m damayanti pa.n.ditaa.
Irrigators direct water, fletchers fashion arrows,
Carpenters shape wood, and the wise tame themselves.

Selo yathaa ekaghano - vaatena na samiirati;
eva.m nindaapasa.msaasu - na samiñjanti pa.n.ditaa.
Just as a solid rock is not moved by the wind,
So the wise are not shaken by blame or praise.

(Dhp. 6:80-81)

Yathaa pi rahado gambhiiro - vippasanno anaavilo;
eva.m dhammaani sutvaana - vippasiidanti pa.n.ditaa.
Just as a deep and clear lake, is not stirred up,
So the wise, having heard the teachings, are serene.

(Dhp. 6:82)

Andhabhuuto aya.m loko - tanuk’ettha vipassati;
saku.no jaalamutto’va - appo saggaaya gacchati.
Blinded is this world, few see clearly here;
Few fly to heaven like a bird freed from a net.

(Dhp. 13:174)

Exercise 3

Dve’maani, bhikkhave, sukhaani.
Monks, there are these two types of happiness.

Katamaani dve?
What two?

Gihisukha.m ca pabbajitasukha.m ca.
There is the happiness of the householder and the happiness of one who has gone forth.

Imaani kho, bhikkhave, dve sukhaani.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of happiness.

Etadagga.m, bhikkhave, imesa.m dvinna.m sukhaana.m yadida.m pabbajitasukha.m ti.
The better, monks, of these two types of happiness is the happiness of one who has gone forth.

Dve’maani, bhikkhave, sukhaani.
Monks, there are these two types of happiness.

Katamaani dve?
What two?

Kaamasukha.m ca nekkhammasukha.m ca.
There is the happiness of sense desire and the happiness of renunciation.

Imaani kho, bhikkhave, dve sukhaani.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of happiness.

Etadagga.m, bhikkhave, imesa.m dvinna.m sukhaana.m yadida.m nekkhammasukha.m ti.
The better, monks, of these two types of happiness is the happiness of renunciation.

Dve’maani, bhikkhave, sukhaani.
Monks, there are these two types of happiness.

Katamaani dve?
What two?

Upadhisukha.m ca nirupadhisukha.m ca.
There is the happiness of attachment and the happiness of detachment.

Imaani kho, bhikkhave, dve sukhaani.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of happiness.

Etadagga.m, bhikkhave, imesa.m dvinna.m sukhaana.m yadida.m nirupadhisukha.m ti.
The better, monks, of these two types of happiness is the happiness of detachment.

Dve’maani, bhikkhave, sukhaani.
Monks, there are these two types of happiness.

Katamaani dve?
What two?

Saasavasukha.m ca anaasavasukhañca.
There is the happiness of clinging and the happiness of non-clinging.

Imaani kho, bhikkhave, dve sukhaani.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of happiness.

Etadagga.m, bhikkhave, imesa.m dvinna.m sukhaana.m yadida.m anaasavasukha.m ti.
The better, monks, of these two types of happiness is the happiness of non-clinging.

Dve’maani, bhikkhave, sukhaani.
Monks, there are these two types of happiness.

Katamaani dve?
What two?

Saamisa.m ca sukha.m niraamisa.m ca sukha.m.
There is the happiness of the flesh and the happiness not of the flesh.

Imaani kho, bhikkhave, dve sukhaani.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of happiness.

Etadagga.m, bhikkhave, imesa.m dvinna.m sukhaana.m yadida.m niraamisa.m sukha.m ti.
The better, monks, of these two types of happiness is the happiness not of the flesh.

Dve’maani, bhikkhave, sukhaani.
Monks, there are these two types of happiness.

Katamaani dve?
What two?

Ariyasukha.m ca anariyasukha.m ca.
There is the happiness of the noble and the happiness of the ignoble.

Imaani kho, bhikkhave, dve sukhaani.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of happiness.

Etadagga.m, bhikkhave, imesa.m dvinna.m sukhaana.m yadida.m ariyasukha.m ti.
The better, monks, of these two types of happiness is the happiness of the noble.

Dve’maani, bhikkhave, sukhaani.
Monks, there are these two types of happiness.

Katamaani dve?
What two?

Kaayika.m ca sukha.m cetasika.m ca sukha.m.
There is the happiness of the body and the happiness of the mind.

Imaani kho, bhikkhave, dve sukhaani.
Indeed, monks, these are two types of happiness.

Etadagga.m, bhikkhave, imesa.m dvinna.m sukhaana.m yadida.m cetasika.m sukha.m ti.
The better, monks, of these two types of happiness is the happiness of the mind.

(A.N.2.7.1-7 [2.65-71] Sukhavaggo)

Exercise 4

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, a.mgehi samannaagato raajaa cakkavattii dhammen’eva cakka.m pavatteti, ta.m hoti cakka.m appa.tivattiya.m kenaci manussabhuutena paccatthikena paa.ninaa.
Endowed with five qualities, monks, a king who is a universal monarch righteously sets in motion the wheel; which wheel is irreversible by anyone, by any human being, by any opponent, by any living being.

Katamehi pañcahi?
What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, raajaa cakkavattii atthaññuu ca hoti, dhammaññuu ca, mattaññuu ca, kaalaññuu ca, parisaññuu ca.
Here, monks, a king who is a universal monarch is one who knows what is useful, one who knows the teachings, one who is moderate, one who knows the proper time, and one who knows the assembly.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi a.mgehi samannaagato raajaa cakkavattii dhammeneva cakka.m pavatteti; ta.m hoti cakka.m appa.tivattiya.m kenaci manussabhuutena paccatthikena paa.ninaa.
Endowed with these five qualities, monks, a king who is a universal monarch righteously sets in motion the wheel; which wheel is irreversible by anyone, by any human being, by any opponent, by any living being.

Evameva.m kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannaagato tathaagato araha.m sammaasambuddho dhammeneva anuttara.m dhammacakka.m pavatteti; ta.m hoti cakka.m appa.tivattiya.m sama.nena vaa braahma.nena vaa devena vaa maarena vaa brahmunaa vaa kenaci vaa lokasmi.m.
Similarly, monks, endowed with five qualities, the Buddha, the worthy one, the supremely enlightened one, righteously sets in motion the unsurpassed wheel of truth; which wheel is irreversible by a recluse, or by a Brahmin, or by a deity, or by the devil, or by the supreme god, or by anyone in this world.

Katamehi pañcahi?
What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, tathaagato araha.m sammaasambuddho atthaññuu, dhammaññuu, mattaññuu, kaalaññuu, parisaññuu.
Here, monks, the Buddha, the worthy one, the supremely enlightened one, is one who knows what is useful, one who knows the teachings, one who is moderate, one who knows the proper time, and one who knows the assembly.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannaagato tathaagato araha.m sammaasambuddho dhammeneva anuttara.m dhammacakka.m pavatteti; ta.m hoti dhammacakka.m appa.tivattiya.m sama.nena vaa braahma.nena vaa devena vaa maarena vaa brahmunaa vaa kenaci vaa lokasmi.m ti.
Endowed with these five qualities, monks, the Buddha, the worthy one, the supremely enlightened one, righteously sets in motion the unsurpassed wheel of truth; which wheel is irreversible by a monk, or by a Brahmin, or by a deity, or by the devil, or by the supreme god, or by anyone in this world.

(A.N.5.14.1. [5.131] Raajavaggo, Pa.thamacakkaanuvattanasutta.m)