Buddhànussati, mettà ca, ~ asubhaü, maraõassati -
Recollection of the Buddha, friendliness, ~ unattractiveness, and mindfulness of death -

iti imà caturàrakkhà ~ bhikkhu bhàveyya sãlavà.
these are the four protective meditations ~ that a virtuous monk should develop.

Anantavitthàraguõaü ~ guõatonussaraü Muniü,
Recollecting the Sage's virtue, and his endless, extensive, good qualities,

bhàveyya buddhimà bhikkhu ~ Buddhànussati-m-àdito.
the wise monk should develop ~ the recollection of the Buddha first.

Savàsane kilese so ~ eko sabbe nighàtiya,
Alone he destroyed all the corruptions, and (bad) predispositions,

ahå susuddhasantàno ~ påjànaü ca sadàraho. [1]
and being continually and fully pure ~ he is worthy of worship at all times.

 

Sabbakàlagate dhamme ~ sabbe sammà sayaü Muni
^o The Sage by himself has, in every way, completely awakened to all things

sabbàkàrena bujjhitvà, ~ eko sabbaÿÿutaü gato. [2]
throughout the whole of time, ~ and alone he has arrived at omniscience.

 

Vipassanàdi vijjàhi ~ sãlàdi caraõehi ca,
^o Being endowed with great psychic power, good conduct, virtue, and so on,

susamiddhehi sampanno, ~ gaganàbhehi nàyako. [3]
true understanding, insight, and so on, ~ the leader was like the shining sky.

 

Sammàgato subhaü ñhànaü ~ amoghavacano ca so,
He who never spoke foolish words, has arrived at that glorious state (Nibbàna),

tividhassàpi lokassa ~ ÿàtà niravasesato. [4]
he knew the threefold world system (completely) without leaving anything out.

 

Anekehi guõoghehi ~ sabbasattuttamo ahå,
Overflowing with countless good qualities ~ he is supreme among all beings,

anekehi upàyehi ~ naradamme damesi ca. [5]
with countless skilful means ~ he tamed those men who could be tamed.

 

Eko sabbassa lokassa ~ sabbam-atthànusàsako,
He alone, to the whole world ~ was the teacher of everything good,

bhàgyaissariyàdãnaü ~ guõànaü paramo nidhã. [6]
he is the highest treasure, having qualities such as good fortune, mastery, and so on.

 

Paÿÿàssa sabbadhammesu ~ karuõà sabbajantusu,
Being wise in regard to all things ~ compassionate to everybody,

attatthànaü paratthànaü ~ sàdhikà guõajeññhikà. [7]
he exceeded (others) in the best qualities, (knowing) what was for his own and others' good.

 

Dayàya pàramã citvà ~ paÿÿàyattànam-uddharã,
Through sympathy he set his mind on the perfections ~ through wisdom he raised himself up,

uddharã sabbadhamme ca, ~ dayàyaÿÿe ca uddharã. [8]
he raised himself above all things, ~ through sympathy he raised others too.

 

Dissamàno pi tàvassa ~ råpakàyo acintayo,
Even his visible form-body was beyond thought,

asàdhàraõaÿàõaóóhe ~ dhammakàye kathà vakàti? [9]
what can be said of his spiritual body, which was unique, having powerful knowledge?

ßBahå devà manussà ca ~ maïgalàni acintayuü
ßMany are the gods and the men ~ who have thought about the blessings

àkaïkhamànà sotthànaü: ~ bråhi maïgalam-uttamaü. û [1]
hoping for safety: ~ now please say what is the supreme blessing.û

 

ßAsevanà ca bàlànaü, ~ paõóitànaÿ-ca sevanà,
ßNot associating with fools, ~ but associating with the wise,

påjà ca påjanãyànaü: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [2]
honouring those worthy of honour: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Pañiråpadesavàso ca, ~ pubbe ca katapuÿÿatà,
Living in a suitable place, ~ formerly having done good deeds,

attasammàpaõidhi ca: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [3]
having the right aspiration for oneself: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Bàhusaccaÿ-ca sippaÿ-ca, ~ vinayo ca susikkhito,
Having great learning and craft, ~ being disciplined and well trained,

subhàsità ca yà vàcà: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [4]
and whatever words are well spoken: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Màtàpitu-upaññhànaü, ~ puttadàrassa saïgaho,
Attending on one's mother and father, ~ looking after one's wife and children,

anàkulà ca kammantà: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [5]
having work that is not agitating: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Dànaÿ-ca Dhammacariyà ca, ~ ÿàtakànaÿ-ca saïgaho,
Giving, and living by the Dhamma, ~ and looking after one's relatives,

anavajjàni kammàni: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [6]
(performing) actions that are blameless: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

ârati virati pàpà, ~ majjapànà ca saÿÿamo,
Abstaining, refraining, from bad deeds, ~ restraint from intoxicating drink,

appamàdo ca dhammesu: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [7]
being heedful regarding (all) things: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Gàravo ca nivàto ca, ~ santuññhã ca kataÿÿutà,
Having respect and being humble, ~ being satisfied and grateful,

kàlena Dhammasavaõaü: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [8]
listening to the Dhamma at the right time: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Khantã ca sovacassatà, ~ samaõànaÿ-ca dassanaü,
Being patient and easily spoken to, ~ seeing ascetics,

kàlena Dhammasàkacchà: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [9]
discussing the Dhamma at the right time: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Tapo ca brahmacariyaÿ-ca, ~ ariyasaccànadassanaü,
Austerity, living spiritually, ~ insight into the noble truths,

nibbànasacchikiriyà ca: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [10]
the experience of Nibbàna: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Phuññhassa lokadhammehi, ~ cittaü yassa na kampati,
He whose mind does not waver, when it is touched by worldly things,

asokaü virajaü khemaü: ~ etaü maïgalam-uttamaü. [11]
being griefless, dustless, and secure: ~ this is the supreme blessing.

 

Etàdisàni katvàna, ~ sabbattha-m-aparàjità,
Having done as here directed, ~ being undefeated everywhere,

sabbattha sotthiü gacchanti: ~ taü tesaü maïgalam-uttamanû-ti. [12]
they go everywhere in safety: ~ for them this is the supreme blessing.û