| Pali | Trans.: VRI | Trans.: Stuart Nicholls* |
|---|---|---|
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Anekajāti saṁsāraṁ Sandhāvissaṁ anibbisaṁ Gahakārakaṁ gavesanto Dukkhā jāti punappunaṁ Gahakāraka dittho si Puna gehaṁ na kāhasi Sabbā te phāsukā bhaggā Gahakūtaṁ visañkhitaṁ Visañkhāragataṁ cittaṁ Tanhānaṁ khāyaṁ ajjhagā |
Through countless births in the cycle of existence I have run, in vain seeking the builder of this house; and again and again I faced the suffering of new birth. Oh housebuilder! Now you are seen. You shall not build a house again for me. All your beams are broken, the ridgepole is shattered. The mind has become freed from conditioning; the end of craving has been reached. |
In countless worlds I cycled through this pain, From birth to death I ran without surcease; The builder of this house I sought in vain, In pain I was reborn without release. O Builder of this house you have been seen! And not another house you'll build for me. Your walls are all knocked down, your frames broke clean, Your hands are tied, your blinded eyes can't see. This mind is from all past conditions freed; At last the end of craving is achieved. |
* The poem is a reworking of the Buddha s first words after his enlightenment, written in iambic pentameter and modeled after Shakespeare s sonnets. The translator is an Old Student and physicist from Australia.
2 Comments
Superb metre. I really enjoy saying this out aloud – definitely has a different resonance. Brilliant idea to do this, it’s very much appreciated, with much metta 🙏🏾.
Stunning translation! Thank you!