English
1. Behind walls they stand, At crossroads and junctions; At doorposts they stand, Having come to their own home. 2. When abundant food and drink, Eatable and consumable, are laid out; No one remembers them, Those beings, due to their past deeds. 3. Thus do they give to their relatives, Those who are compassionate; Pure, excellent, at the proper time, Suitable food and drink; "May this be for our relatives, May our relatives be happy." 4. And they, gathered there, The departed relatives, assembled; When abundant food and drink is offered, Rejoice respectfully. 5. "Long live our relatives, Through whom we obtain this; And homage has been paid to us, And the givers are not without fruit." 6. Indeed, there is no farming there, Cattle-herding is not found there; There is no such trade, Of buying and selling with gold; With what is given from here they sustain themselves, The departed ones who have passed away there. 7. Just as water rained on high ground, Flows down to the low ground; Even so, what is given from here, Benefits the departed. 8. Just as full rivers, Fill the ocean; Even so, what is given from here, Benefits the departed. 9. "He gave to me, he did for me, My relatives, friends, and companions"; One should give offerings to the departed, Remembering deeds done in the past. 10. Indeed, neither weeping nor sorrow, Nor any other lamentation; Is of any use to the departed, Thus do relatives stand. 11. But this offering given, Well-established in the Saṅgha; For a long time, for their benefit, Benefits them immediately. 12. Thus this duty to relatives has been shown, And a great homage has been paid to the departed; And strength has been given to the bhikkhus, By you, merit has been produced, not a little.