(Handa mayaṃ ti-lakkhaṇ’ādi-gāthāyo bhaṇāmase)

Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā’ti yadā paññāya passati

‘Impermanent are all conditioned things’ — When with wisdom this is seen

Atha nibbindati dukkhe esa maggo visuddhiyā

One feels weary of all dukkha; This is the path to purity.

Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā’ti yadā paññāya passati

‘Dukkha are all conditioned things’ — When with wisdom this is seen

Atha nibbindati dukkhe esa maggo visuddhiyā

One feels weary of all dukkha; This is the path to purity.

Sabbe dhammā anattā’ti yadā paññāya passati

‘There is no self in anything’ — When with wisdom this is seen

Atha nibbindati dukkhe esa maggo visuddhiyā

One feels weary of all dukkha; This is the path to purity.

Appakā te manussesu ye janā pāra-gāmino

Few amongst humankind Are those who go beyond,

Athāyaṃ itarā pajā tīram-evānudhāvati

Yet there are the many folks Ever wand’ring on this shore.

Ye ca kho sammad-akkhāte dhamme dhammānuvattino

Wherever Dhamma is well-taught, Those who train in line with it

Te janā pāram-essanti maccu-dheyyaṃ suduttaraṃ

Are the ones who will cross over The realm of death so hard to flee.

Kaṇhaṃ dhammaṃ vippahāya sukkaṃ bhāvetha paṇḍito

Abandoning the darker states, The wise pursue the bright;

Okā anokam-āgamma viveke yattha dūramaṃ Tatrābhiratim-iccheyya hitvā kāme akiñcano

From the floods dry land they reach Living withdrawn so hard to do. Such rare delight one should desire, Sense pleasures cast away, Not having anything.

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