Theragāthā 203

Verses of the Senior Monks 5.6

The Book of the Fives

Chapter One

1 It was truly for my benefit

that the Buddha went to the Nerañjara River.

When I heard his teaching,

I shunned wrong view.

2 I used to perform a diverse spectrum of sacrifices;

I served the sacred flame,

imagining, “This is purity.”

I was a blind, ordinary person.

3 Caught in the thicket of wrong view,

deluded by misapprehension.

Thinking impurity was purity,

I was blind and ignorant.

4 I’ve abandoned wrong view;

all rebirths are shattered.

I serve the fire for those

worthy of a religious donation:

I bow to the Realized One.

5 I’ve given up all delusion;

craving for continued existence is shattered;

transmigration through births is finished;

now there’ll be no more future lives.