5: Paccavekkhaṇā
The Reflections
Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso cīvaraṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of the robe,
yāvad-eva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
only to ward off the cold, to ward off the heat,
ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasiriṁsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya,
to ward off contact with gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, the heat (of the sun), and creeping things,
yāvad-eva hirikopīnapaṭicchādanatthaṁ. [01]
only as a cover for the shameful parts.
Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso piṇḍapātaṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of almsfood,
neva davāya, na madāya, na maṇḍanāya, na vibhūsanāya, MPP:
not for sport, or for showing off, not for ornament, or for adornment,
yāvad-eva imassa kāyassa ṭhitiyā yāpanāya,
but only to maintain this body, and to carry on,
vihiṁsūparatiyā brahmacariyānuggahāya,
to inhibit annoyance, and to assist in the spiritual life,
iti purāṇañ-ca vedanaṁ paṭihaṅkhāmi,
and so I will get rid of any old feeling,
navañ-ca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi,
and not produce any new feeling,
yātrā ca me bhavissati, anavajjatā ca phāsuvihāro cā ti. [02]
and there will be support for me, being blameless, and living comfortably.
Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso senāsanaṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of a dwelling,
yāvad-eva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
only to ward off the cold, to ward off the heat,
ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasiriṁsapasamphassānaṁ paṭighātāya,
to ward off contact with gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, the heat (of the sun), and serpents,
yāvad-eva utuparissayavinodanaṁ paṭisallānārāmatthaṁ. [03]
only to dispel the trouble of the (varying) seasons, and so as to delight in seclusion.
Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of the requisite of medicine for support when sick,
yāvad-eva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya
only to ward off oppressive feelings that have arisen
abyāpajjhaparamatāyā ti. [04]
and at least be free from oppression.