Thig 5.10 — Verses of the Elder Paṭācārā

Text

Thig 5:10 Paṭācārā

[I thought:]
“Plowing the field with plows,
sowing the ground with seed,
supporting their wives & children,
young men gather up wealth.

So why is it that I,
    consummate in virtue,
    a doer of the teacher’s bidding,
don’t gain unbinding?
I’m not lazy or proud.”
Washing my feet, I noticed
        the
        water.

And in watching it flow from high
        to
        low,
    my heart was composed
    like a fine thoroughbred steed.

Then taking a lamp, I entered the hut,
    checked the bedding,
    sat down on the bed.

And taking a pin, I pulled out the wick:
    Like the flame’s1 unbinding
    was the liberation
        of awareness.

Note

1. Reading pajjotass’eva with the Thai edition.