THE GREAT CHRONICLE OF BUDDHAS
1174
NibbÈna, the deathless Element. Having attained
arahatta-phala
, they enjoy the bliss of
NibbÈna without having to incur any expense. This is the incomparable quality in the
arahat
that excels all worldly treasures. By this truth, may all beings be well and
happy, both here and in the hereafter!
8. Just as a pillar at the city gate, firmly fixed in the ground, is unshaken by the fierce
winds from the four quarters, even so do I declare that the
ariya
who perceives the
Four Ariya Truths through his first Path-knowledge is unshakable under all worldly
conditions. This is the incomparable quality in the Stream-Enterer that excels all
worldly treasures. By this truth, may all beings be well and happy, both here and in the
hereafter!
9. Those Stream-Enterers have perceived the Ariya Truths clearly, being well-taught by
the Buddha, possessor of most profound knowledge. However exceedingly forgetful
they might be, they do not take birth for an eighth time. This is the incomparable
quality in the Stream-Enterer that excels all worldly treasures. By this truth, may all
beings be well and happy, both here and in the hereafter!
10. & 11. At the instant of the arising of Stream-Entry Knowledge, the three defilements of
wrong view concerning this body of five aggregates (which arises in twenty ways),
eight kinds of doubts and sixteen kinds of uncertainty, and the wrong belief in
misguided practices outside the Ariya Path, should there be any, are discarded once and
for all. Although certain defilements still remain in him, he is absolutely freed from the
four miserable states of
apÈya
. He is also incapable of committing the six gross evil
deeds, i.e. the five evil deeds and following other teachers (than the Buddha.) This is
the incomparable quality in Stream-enterer that excels all worldly treasures. By this
truth, may all beings be well and happy, both here and in the hereafter!
12. In case, through being heedless, the Stream-Enterer commits an evil action by deed,
word or thought, he is incapable of concealing it. That quality of being incapable of
concealing any misdeed, that the Stream-Enterer, who has seen NibbÈna and becomes
endowed with it. This has been pointed out by the Buddha. This is the incomparable
quality in the Stream-Enterer that excels all worldly treasures. By this truth, may all
beings be well and happy, both here and in the hereafter!
13. Just like the forest in spring time, the first month of the hot season has its tree tops
ablaze with blossoms, is a scene of delight, so also the Doctrine, delightful in word and
in meaning, leading to NibbÈna, has been delivered by the Buddha for the highest
benefit (of NibbÈna). This is the incomparable quality in the Doctrine that excels all
worldly treasures. By this truth, may all beings be well and happy, both here and in the
hereafter!
14. The Excellent One, the Knower of the Excellent Element of NibbÈna, the bestower of
the Supramundane to the three spheres, the One who has embraced the Old Path of
eight constituents, the peerless Buddha, has explained the excellent Doctrine
comprising ten stages (events). This is the incomparable quality in the Buddha that
excels all worldly treasures. By this truth, may all beings be well and happy, both here
and in the hereafter!
15. To
arahats
, there the old kamma is extinct (beyond the present existence), no new
kamma is created. Their mind is not attached to any future existences. They have
completely destroyed the seeds of existence. They do not hanker after continued
existence. Just as the lamp is extinguished, these wise ones have their aggregates
extinguished. This is the incomparable quality in the
arahat
that excels all worldly
treasures. By this truth, may all beings be well and happy, both here and in the
hereafter!
16. Devas belonging to the earth and to the celestial realms are assembled here. We all pay
our homage to the Buddha whose coming to the world is most auspicious. May this
good deed bring peace and happiness to all beings.
17. Devas belonging to the earth and to the celestial realms are assembled here. We all pay
our homage to the Dhamma whose proclamation in the world is most auspicious. May