This translation of the Theragāthā was made by Bhikkhu Sujato with Jessica Walton. It is based on the Mahāsaṅgīti edition of the Pali text.

The translation relies heavily on the translation and notes by K.R. Norman for the Pali Text Society, published as Elders’s Verses I, first published 1965. For a few verses we have also consulted translations by Bhikkhu Thanissaro and Bhikkhu Bodhi. In all cases, however, the final translation was made directly from the Pali text.

This translation is published in September 2014. It is released by means of Creative Commons Zero (CC0 1.0 Universal) Public Domain Dedication. The translators waive all rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law. You are encouraged to do anything you like with this text. You can copy, modify, translate, distribute, print, and perform the work, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

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Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.

Theragāthā

Verses of the Senior Monks

Chapter of the Threes

3.4. Dhaniya

One who hopes for the ascetic life,
Wishing to live in happiness,
Should not look down on the Saṅgha’s robe,
Or its food and drinks.

One who hopes for the ascetic life,
Wishing to live in happiness,
Should stay in the Saṅgha’s lodgings,
Like a snake in a mouse hole.

One who hopes for the ascetic life,
Wishing to live in happiness,
Should be satisfied with whatever is offered,
Developing this one quality.