Theragāthā 217

Verses of the Senior Monks 6.8

The Book of the Sixes

Chapter One

Migajāla

1 It was well-taught by the Clear-eyed One,

the Buddha, Kinsman of the Sun,

who has transcended all fetters,

and destroyed all rolling-on.

2 Emancipating, it leads across,

drying up the root of craving,

and, having cut off the poisonous root,

the slaughterhouse,

it leads to quenching.

3 By breaking the root of unknowing,

it smashes the mechanism of deeds,

and drops the thunderbolt of knowledge

on the taking up of consciousnesses.

4 It informs us of our feelings,

releasing us from grasping,

contemplating with understanding

all states of existence as a pit of burning coals.

5 It’s very sweet and very deep,

holding birth and death at bay;

it is the noble eightfold path—

the stilling of suffering, bliss.

6 Knowing deed as deed

and result as result;

seeing dependently originated phenomena

as if they were in a clear light;

leading to the great sanctuary and peace,

it’s excellent at the end.