Theragathapali - Book of Verses of Elder Bhikkhus: A Contemporary Translation

The present book, Theragāthā, belongs to the Pāḷi Tipiṭaka, the authorized recension for Theravāda. Theragāthā is perhaps unique in the world spiritual literature in that it contains verses exclusively by liberated men, and is likely the earliest such compendium. The Elder Bhikkhus (therā in Pāḷi), whose verses (gāthā) are collected herein, represent a fair cross-section of the contemporary Indian society: here we find princes and paupers, Brāhmaṇā and Khattiyā, Vessā and Suddā, high-class society and down-trodden ones, children and senior citizens, single and married, talkative ones and quiet ones, fathers and sons – all of them singing songs of joy and gratitude; and extolling the Buddha, Dhammā, and Saṅghā. And the thing that unites them all? They all realized the ultimate – the cessation of lust, hate, and delusion; the liberation; the end of the cycle of becoming. The verses themselves are so powerful that they can be used as a subject of meditation to reflect on the sufferings inherent in the round of existence and generate the desire to be free. In this book, both Pāḷi originals and English translations are provided so it’s easier for those who want to learn Pāḷi or just read the translations. A full Pāḷi-English glossary, detailed endnotes, full biographical information about each Thera, and indices will help the interested reader to learn more about the elder bhikkhus, their circumstances, and their strivings.