179
For whom victory cannot be undone,
whose victory no one in the world can undo;
That Buddha, |whose domain is boundless::having infinite range [anantagocara]|,
|the traceless one::trackless, having no desires [apada]|—by what path |will you lead him astray::will misguide, will harm [nessati]|?
180
For whom there is no |entanglement::attachment [visattikā]| or |snare::deception [jālinī]|,
and no |craving::wanting, yearning, longing, attachment, lit. thirst [taṇhā]| to be found anywhere;
That Buddha, whose domain is boundless,
the traceless one—by what path will you lead him astray?
181
Those wise ones who are |intent on jhāna::devoted to meditation [jhānapasuta]|,
who delight in |tranquility of renunciation::peace of giving up sensual pleasure [nekkhammūpasama]|—
Even the gods |hold them dear::care for them [piyāyati]|,
the |Awakened Ones::epithet of the Buddha, one who has fully understood [sambuddha]|, who are |mindful::fully present [satīmant]|.
182
|Hard::difficult, troublesome, rare [kiccha]| it is to acquire a human birth,
hard is the life of mortals;
Rare is the hearing of the true |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|,
rare is the arising of the Buddhas.
183
To avoid all |injurious [intentions and actions]::harmful, bad, potentially evil [pāpa]|,
to cultivate |wholesome [intentions and actions]::healthy, beneficial, useful [kusala]|;
And |purifying one‘s mind::removing the five hindrances [sacittapariyodapanā]|—
this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
184
|Enduring::perseverance in the face of physical or mental hardships [titikkhā]| |patience::acceptance, receptivity in emotional or interpersonal contexts [khantī]| is the highest |spiritual practice::austerity, ascetic practice [tapa]|,
|Nibbāna::complete cooling, letting go of everything, deathless, freedom from calamity, the non-disintegrating [nibbāna]| is the |very best::highest, ultimate [parama]|, the Buddhas declare;
One |who harms others::who injures others [parūpaghātī]| is not a true renunciant,
nor is one who troubles others a true |ascetic::recluse, holy man, epithet of the Buddha [samaṇa]|.
185
|Not speaking ill::refraining from slander, not blaming others [anūpavāda]| of others, |not harming::not hurting, non-violence [anūpaghāta]| others,
restraint according to the |moral code of conduct::monastic code of discipline which promotes harmonious and pure conduct with others [pātimokkha]|;
Knowing |moderation in::knowing the correct amount of [mattaññutā]| eating,
dwelling in secluded places;
Dedication to the |higher mind::meditation, mental development, higher consciousness, [adhicitta]|,
this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
186
Not by a shower of coins,
can one find satisfaction in |sensual desire::sensual pleasure [kāma]|;
Sensual pleasures bring little enjoyment and much |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|,
thus the wise understand.
187
Even in heavenly sensual pleasures,
he finds no |delight::relish, liking, pleasure [rati]|;
He delights in the |wearing away of craving::depletion of desire, extinction of longing [taṇhakkhaya]|,
Such is the disciple of the Fully Awakened One.
188
Many people take refuge,
in mountains and forests;
Parks, trees and shrines,
|shaken up::startled [tajjita]| by fear.
189
This is not a safe refuge,
that is not the highest refuge;
That is not a refuge,
which brings release from all suffering.
190
But one who takes refuge,
in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the |Saṅgha::The community of monks and nuns following the Buddha. In the broader sense, this is the community of disciples who have realized the noble path and fruition through the Buddha’s teaching [saṅgha]|;
Sees the Four Noble Truths,
|with right wisdom::correct understanding [sammappaññāya]|.
191
Suffering, the |arising of suffering::source of stress, appearance of discomfort [dukkhasamudaya]|,
the |ending of suffering::ending of discontentment, cessation of distress [dukkhanirodha]|;
And the Noble Eightfold Path,
that leads to the ending of suffering.
192
This is a safe refuge,
this is the highest refuge;
Taking refuge here,
one is released from all suffering.
193
Rare is the birth of a |thoroughbred person::extraordinary person, a noble person, Buddha [purisājañña]|,
he is not born everywhere;
Where such a |steadfast one::firm, stable, wise [dhīra]| one is born,
that family |gains ease::thrives comfortably [sukhamedhati]|.
194
Good is the arising of the Buddhas,
good is the teaching of the true Dhamma;
Good is the harmony of the Saṅgha,
Good is the spiritual practice of those who live in harmony.
195
One who honors those |worthy of honor::worthy of veneration, reverence [pūjāraha]|,
whether the Buddhas or their disciples;
Who has surmounted |mental proliferation::various opinions, endless conceptualization [papañca]|,
who has gone beyond |sorrow and lamentation::wailing and weeping [tiṇṇasokapariddava]|.
196
One who honors such ones,
the |quenched::liberated from mental defilements [nibbuta]| and |fearless ones::who have nothing to fear from anywhere [akutobhaya]|;
No one can measure their gained merit,
saying, ’there is just this much.’