Ratana Sutta | Sn II-1
(ii). CULAVAGGA
1. Ratana Sutta.
Discourse on the 3 Gems
224. May all the devas, belonging to the earth or to the celestial regions, who have assembled here be cheerful. And may they listen to my discourse respectfully. (1)
225. O ye devas, as I have asked you, listen and pay heed to what I am going to say now.
Send your love to (bestow your love on) human beings. They make offerings to you by day or by night. So it behaves you well to remember their good will (to you) and to give them your protection (in return) (2)
226 In the human world or the worlds of Nāgas or Garuḍas, or the world of celestial beings i.e. in all the worlds, there are various precious things, all excellent in their ways;
but there is none that can equal the preciousness of the Buddha. Yes, the preciousness of the Buddha excels them all.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings). (3)
227. The Buddha, the greatest of bhikkhus, coming from the Śākya clan with the steadfastness of mind that comes of the Noble Path, realized Nibbāna.
And Nibbāna is extinction of all moral defilements, the end of all craving, deathless, the most sublime of Dhammas.
There is no precious thing that can equal the preciousness of the Dhamma that is Nibbāna. Yes, the preciousness of Nibbāna excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (4)
228. The Supreme Buddha has extolled the exaltedness of the steadfast mind that comes of the Noble Path because of its morally purifying nature.
This steadfastness of mind has been pointed out (by the Buddhas). There is no precious thing that can equal the preciousness of the Dhamma that is the realisation of the Path.
Yes, the preciousness of the Path excels all precious things.
May this world of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (5)
229. There are these 8 persons, the 4 pairs (of Noble Discipline) who walk the Path, whom the Noble One holds in esteem.
These Noble Disciples of the Buddha deserve the best (intentioned) offering, and offerings made to them are highly meritorious (fruitful).
(There is no precious thing that can equal the, preciousness of the Saṅgha) Yes, the preciousness of the Saṅgha excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (6)
230. With Gotama Buddha's Teaching, these Noble Ones (Arahants) strived with steadfastness of purpose, concentrating their minds, and attained release from moral defilements.
Attaining their well-deserved destination (Nibbāna), their noble minds entered that deathless Dhamma that is Nibbāna and dwell in the blissful attainment of Arahantship.
Yes, the preciousness of the Saṅgha excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (7)
2.31. Just as a pillar at the city-gate, firmly fixed in the ground, withstands the fiercest winds from the 4 quarters, even so do I declare that the Noble One who enters the stream through insight and perceives the Noble Truth is steadfast, unshakable!
Yes, the preciousness of the Saṅgha excels precious things.
May this word of-Truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (8)
232. The stream-winner bg-sky has attained the Insight-Knowledge by personal experience of the Noble Truths revealed by the Buddha, the One endowed with deep knowledge.
Even if these Noble Ones happen to be exceedingly forgetful and lax, they are destined for a good rebirth. Yes, the preciousness of Saṅgha excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (9)
233-4. Once the noble disciple enters the Stream (of Enlightenment) he rejects the wrong views, doubts and misguided reliance and wrong conduct.
Although certain moral defilements still remain in him, he is precluded from (the destinies of) rebirth in the 4 (lower miserable forms);
he is incapable of committing the 6 gross evil deeds (i.e. the 5 grave evil deeds that bring immediate retribution and following other teachers (than the Buddha)).
Yes, the preciousness of the Saṅgha excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (110-4)
235. Even if the stream winner bg-sky happens to have committed an evil action by deed or word or thoughts, he is incapable of concealing it.
That incapability, which is the inherent quality of the Stream-Winner bg-sky who has seen Nibbāna by Insight-Knowledge, has been pointed out by the Buddha.
Yes, the preciousness of the Saṅgha excels all precious things.
May this word of Truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (12)
236. Just like the forest in the early spring in the month of citramasa with all the treetops ablaze with blossoms is delightful to see;
even so the Buddha, has uttered the various discourses, delightful to the ear, paving the way to Nibbāna.
Yes, the preciousness of the Buddha excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (13)
237. The glorious ones, the knower of glorious Nibbāna, Teacher of the Sublime Dhamma, the preserver of the splendid Path, the peerless Buddha has delivered the noble discourses.
Yes, the preciousness of the Buddha excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (14).
238. (To an Arahant) there is no past karmic force (beyond the present existence) and no future karmic force is created. He does not crave for future existence.
Since there is no potential force of karmic seed, no desire for the flourishing of any future life remains.
Just like the lamp's flame is extinguished, the Arahant's, aggregates of existence are extinguished when he passes away to Nibbāna at his, death.
Yes, preciousness of the Saṅgha excels all precious things.
May this word of truth bring peace and prosperity to all (beings)! (15)
239. Devas belonging to the earth and those belonging to the celestial regions have assembled here.
We all pay our homage to the Buddha, whose coming is most auspicious and whom all devas and humans honour.
May there be peace and prosperity for all (beings)! (16)
240. Devas belonging to the earth and those belonging to the celestial regions have assembled here.
We all pay our homage to the Dhamma the destroyer of all defilements, that all devas and humans honour.
May there be peace and prosperity for all (beings)! (17)
241. Devas belonging to the earth and those belonging to the celestial regions have assembled here.
We all pay our homage to the Saṅgha, the well-conducted ones, whom all Devas and humans honour.
May there be peace and prosperity for all (beings)! (17)
(Thus said the Buddha)
End of the First Ratana Sutta