Thig 5.10 — Verses of the Elder Paṭācārā

English translation by Bhikkhuni Soma.

Translation

Text

Verses of the Elder Bhikkhunīs
Chapter of the Fives
Verses of the Elder Paṭācārā
“Young men plough the field,
sowing seeds in the earth.
As they nourish wife and children,
young men prosper.
I have perfect morality,
I follow the teaching of the Teacher,
I am not lazy nor conceited,
so why have I not attained Nirvana?
After washing my feet,
I observed the water
flowing
downhill.
From there I sought one-pointedness of mind,
like a good thoroughbred horse.
Later, I took the lamp,
and entered my dwelling.
I checked the bed
and took a seat on a mat.
I took the needle
and pulled out the wick.
The emancipation of my mind
was like the extinguishing of a lamp.”
The Elder Paṭācārā