Paccavekkhaṇā
Traditional Monastic Reflections

A Pāli and English line by line (interlinear) version of traditional monastic reflections on the use of clothes, food, accommodation and medicine, also adapted for lay people.

translated and adapted for lay people also by
Ānandajoti Bhikkhu

 

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Cover

The Reflections for Monastics (morning)

The Reflections for Monastics (evening)

The Reflections for Lay People (morning)

The Reflections for Lay People (evening)

 

Bhikkhupaccavekkhaṇā
The Reflections for Monastics

 

morning

Cīvaraṁ
Robes

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.
only as a cover for the shameful parts.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: cīvaraṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this robe, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni cīvarāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these robes should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Piṇḍapātaṁ
Almsfood

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso piṇḍapātaṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of almsfood,

neva davāya, na madāya, na maṇḍanāya, na vibhūsanāya,
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.
and there will be support for me, being blameless, and living comfortably.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: piṇḍapāto tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this almsfood, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbo panāyaṁ piṇḍapāto ajigucchaṇīyo
None of this almsfood should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.

 

Senāsanaṁ
A Dwelling

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.
only to dispel the trouble of the (varying) seasons, and so as to delight in seclusion.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: senāsanaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this dwelling, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni senāsanāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these dwelling places should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
but after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ
The Requisite of Medicine for Support when Sick

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.
and at least be free from oppression.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāro tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this requisite of medicine for support when sick and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbo panāyaṁ gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāro ajigucchaṇīyo
None of this requisite of medicine for support when sick should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
but after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.

 

evening

Cīvaraṁ
Robes

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yaṁ cīvaraṁ paribhuttaṁ,
That robe which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

taṁ yāvad-eva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
that is 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.
only as a cover for the shameful parts.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: cīvaraṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this robe, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni cīvarāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these robes should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Piṇḍapātaṁ
Almsfood

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yo piṇḍapāto paribhutto,
That almsfood which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

so neva davāya, na madāya, na maṇḍanāya, na vibhūsanāya,
that is 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.
and there will be support for me, being blameless, and living comfortably.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: piṇḍapāto tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this almsfood, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbo panāyaṁ piṇḍapāto ajigucchaṇīyo
None of this almsfood should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.

 

Senāsanaṁ
A Dwelling

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yaṁ senāsanaṁ paribhuttaṁ,
That dwelling which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

taṁ yāvad-eva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
that is only to ward off the cold, to ward off the heat,

ḍaṁsa-makasa-vātā-tapa-siriṁsapa-samphassānaṁ paṭighātāya,
to ward off contact with gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, the heat (of the sun), and serpents,

yāvad-eva utuparissayavinodanaṁ paṭisallānārāmatthaṁ.
only to dispel the trouble of the (varying) seasons, and so as to delight in seclusion.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: senāsanaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this dwelling, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni senāsanāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these dwelling places should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
but after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāraṁ
The Requisite of Medicine for Support when Sick

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yo gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāro paribhutto,
That requisite of medicine for support when sick which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

so yāvad-eva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya
that is only to ward off oppressive feelings that have arisen

abyāpajjhaparamatāyā ti.
and at least be free from oppression.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāro tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this requisite of medicine for support when sick and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbo panāyaṁ gilānapaccayabhesajjaparikkhāro ajigucchaṇīyo
None of this requisite of medicine for support when sick should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
but after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.

 

Upāsakapaccavekkhaṇā
The Reflections for Lay People

morning

 

Vatthaṁ
Cloth

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso vatthaṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of cloth,

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.
only as a cover for the shameful parts.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: vatthaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this cloth, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni vatthāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these clothes should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Bhojanaṁ
Food

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso bhojanaṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of food,

neva davāya, na madāya, na maṇḍanāya, na vibhūsanāya,
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.
and there will be support for me, being blameless, and living comfortably.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: bhojanaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this food, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbaṁ panāyaṁ bhojanaṁ ajigucchaṇīyaṁ
None of this food should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.

 

Gehaṁ
The Home

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso gehaṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of the home,

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.
only to dispel the trouble of the (varying) seasons, and so as to delight in seclusion.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: gehaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this home, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni gehāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these homes should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
but after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Osadhaṁ
Medicine

Paṭisaṅkhā yoniso osadhaṁ paṭisevāmi,
With proper discernment I make use of medicine for support when sick,

yāvad-eva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya
only to ward off oppressive feelings that have arisen

abyāpajjhaparamatāyā ti.
and at least be free from oppression.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: osadhaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this medicine and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbaṁ panāyaṁ osadhaṁ ajigucchaṇīyaṁ
None of this medicine when sick should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
but after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.

 

evening

 

Vatthaṁ
Cloth

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yaṁ vatthaṁ paribhuttaṁ,
That cloth which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

taṁ yāvad-eva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
that is 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.
only as a cover for the shameful parts.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: vatthaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this cloth, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni vatthāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these clothes should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Bhojanaṁ
Food

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yo bhojanaṁ paribhutto,
That food which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

so neva davāya, na madāya, na maṇḍanāya, na vibhūsanāya,
that is 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.
and there will be support for me, being blameless, and living comfortably.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: bhojanaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this food, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbaṁ panāyaṁ bhojanaṁ ajigucchaṇīyaṁ
None of this food should be disgusting but

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.

 

Gehaṁ
The Home

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yaṁ gehaṁ paribhuttaṁ,
That house which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

taṁ yāvad-eva sītassa paṭighātāya, uṇhassa paṭighātāya,
that is only to ward off the cold, to ward off the heat,

ḍaṁsa-makasa-vātā-tapa-siriṁsapa-samphassānaṁ paṭighātāya,
to ward off contact with gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, the heat (of the sun), and serpents,

yāvad-eva utuparissayavinodanaṁ paṭisallānārāmatthaṁ.
only to dispel the trouble of the (varying) seasons, and so as to delight in seclusion.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: gehaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this home, and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbāni pana imāni gehāni ajigucchaṇīyāni
None of these homes should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyāni jāyanti.
but after touching this filthy body they become exceedingly disgusting.

 

Osadhaṁ
Medicine

Mayā apaccavekkhitvā ajja yo osadhaṁ paribhutto,
That medicine which was used by me today without having reflected on it,

so yāvad-eva uppannānaṁ veyyābādhikānaṁ vedanānaṁ paṭighātāya
that is only to ward off oppressive feelings that hav[e arisen

abyāpajjhaparamatāyā ti.
and at least be free from oppression.

 

Yathā paccayaṁ pavattamānaṁ dhātumattam-ev’ etaṁ,
These are merely elements that continue because of (certain) conditions,

yad-idaṁ: osadhaṁ tad-upabhuñjako ca puggalo,
that is to say: this medicine and the person who enjoys the use of it,

dhātumattako, nissatto, nijjīvo, suñño.
merely elements, unsubstantial, soulless, empty.

Sabbaṁ panāyaṁ osadhaṁ ajigucchaṇīyaṁ
None of this medicine when sick should be disgusting

imaṁ pūtikāyaṁ patvā ativiya jigucchaṇīyo jāyati.
but after touching this filthy body it becomes exceedingly disgusting.