GEMSTONES OF THE GOOD DHAMMA – PART 5: SILAVAGGA – VIRTUE

36. Silam ev’idha sikkhetha
asmim loke susikkhitam
silam hi sabbasampattim
upanameti sevitam.

Here in the world one should train
carefully to purify virtue;
for virtue when well cultivated
brings all success to hand.

37. Yo panam natipateti
musavadam na bhasati
loke adinnam nadiyati
paradaram na gacchati.

Not harming living beings,
not speaking lies, taking nothing
in all the world unasked, nor
going to the wives of other men.

38. Suramerayapanam ca
yo naro nanuyunjati
pahaya pañca verani
silava iti vuccati.

And never drinking intoxicants:
One who gives up these five harmful acts
and does not engage in them
is truly called a virtuous man.

39. Adi silam patittha ca
kalyananañ ca matukam
pamukham sabbadhammanam
tasma silam visodhaye.

Virtue is the foundation,
the forerunner and origin
of all that is good and beautiful;
therefore one should purify virtue.

40. Silam balam appatimam
silam avudham uttamam
silam abharanam settham
silam kavacam abbhutam.

Virtue is a mighty power,
Virtue is a mighty weapon,
Virtue is the supreme adornment,
Virtue is a wonderful armour.

41. Na jacca vasalo hoti
na jacca hoti brahmano
kammana vasalo hoti
kammana hoti brahmano.

One is not low because of birth
nor does birth make one holy.
Deeds alone make one low,
deeds alone make one holy.

42. Ananganassa posassa
niccam sucigavesino
valaggamattam papassa
abbhamattam va khayati.

To one who is without evil,
always striving for purity,
a wrong the size of a hair tip
seems as big as a rain cloud.

43. Puññam eva so sikkheyya
ayataggam sukhundrayam
danañca samacariyañca
mettacittañca bhavaye.

Train yourself in doing good
that lasts and brings happiness.
Cultivate generosity, the life of peace,
and a mind of boundless love.

44. Silam ajarasa sadhu
saddha sadhu adhitthita
pañña naranam ratanam
puññam corehyahariyam.

The good luck of virtue never fades,
faith also brings great good.
Wisdom is man’s most precious gem,
merit no thief can ever steal.

45. Sabbada silasampanno
paññva susamahito
ajjhattacinti satima
ogham tarati duttaram.

In every virtue all-accomplished,
with wisdom full and mind composed,
looking within and ever mindful –
thus one crosses the raging flood.