The Three Characteristics

Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā'ti

Yadā paññāya passati,

Atha nibbindati dukkhe:

Esa maggo visuddhiyā.

All processes are inconstant:

When one sees this with discernment,

One grows disenchanted with stress —

This is the path to purity.

Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā'ti

Yadā paññāya passati,

Atha nibbindati dukkhe:

Esa maggo visuddhiyā.

All processes are stressful:

When one sees this with discernment,

One grows disenchanted with stress —

This is the path to purity.

Sabbe dhammā anattā'ti

Yadā paññāya passati,

Atha nibbindati dukkhe:

Esa maggo visuddhiyā.

All phenomena are not-self:

When one sees this with discernment,

One grows disenchanted with stress —

This is the path to purity.

Appakā te manussesu

Ye janā pāra-gāmino

Athāyaṃ itarā pajā

Tīram-evānudhāvati.

Few are the human beings who go to the Further Shore,

These others simply scurry around on this shore.

Ye ca kho sammadakkhāte

Dhamme dhammānuvattino

Te janā pāramessanti

Maccudheyyaṃ suduttaraṃ.

But those who practice the Dhamma

In line with the well-taught Dhamma,

They will cross over Death's realm, so hard to transcend.

Kaṇhaṃ dhammaṃ vippahāya

Sukkaṃ bhāvetha paṇḍito.

Okā anokam-āgamma

Viveke yattha dūramaṃ

Abandoning dark practices,

The wise person should develop the bright,

Having gone from home to no-home

In seclusion, so hard to relish.

Tatrābhiratim-iccheyya

Hitvā kāme akiñcano.

Pariyodapeyya attānaṃ

Citta-klesehi paṇḍito

There he should wish for delight,

Having discarded sensuality — he who has nothing.

He should cleanse himself,

the wise one, of mental defilement.

Yesaṃ sambodhiyaṅgesu

Sammā cittaṃ subhāvitaṃ

Ādāna-paṭinissagge

Anupādāya ye ratā,

Khīṇ'āsavā jutimanto

Te loke parinibbutā'ti.

Whose minds are well-developed In the factors for Awakening,

Who delight in non-clinging,

Relinquishing grasping,

Glorious, free of effluent:

They are unbound in the world.