English
The Chapter of Twelves 1. The Verses of Elder Sīlava 608. One should learn morality here, well-trained in this world; For morality, when practiced, brings forth all prosperity. 609. The wise one should protect morality, desiring three kinds of happiness: Praise, and gain of wealth, and rejoicing in heaven after death. 610. The moral one indeed gains many friends through self-restraint; But the immoral one, acting evilly, falls away from friends. 611. Disrepute and ill-fame the immoral person obtains; Good repute, fame, and praise the moral one always obtains. 612. Morality is the beginning and the foundation, and the mother of good things; The chief of all qualities, therefore, one should purify morality. 613. Morality is a boundary and restraint, a delight for the mind; And the ford of all Buddhas, therefore, one should purify morality. 614. Morality is incomparable strength, morality is the supreme weapon; Morality is the best ornament, morality is a wondrous armor. 615. Morality is a mighty bridge, morality is an unsurpassed fragrance; Morality is the best anointing, by which one's fame spreads in every direction. 616. Morality is indeed the foremost provision, morality is the supreme sustenance for a journey; Morality is the best vehicle, by which one goes in every direction. 617. Here indeed one obtains blame, and after death, in lower realms, one is dejected; Everywhere dejected is the fool, who is not well-established in morality. 618. Here indeed one obtains fame, and after death, in heaven, one is joyful; Everywhere joyful is the wise one, who is well-established in morality. 619. Morality indeed is foremost here, but the wise one is supreme; Among humans and among devas, victory is through morality and wisdom. ...Elder Sīlava. 2. The Verses of Elder Sunīta 620. I was born in a low family, poor, with little food; My work was lowly, I was a flower-sweeper. 621. Despised by people, and scorned and reviled; Having made my mind humble, I would salute many people. Then I saw the Enlightened One, Surrounded by the Sangha of monks; The Great Hero entering, The foremost city of the Magadhans. Putting down my carrying pole, I approached to pay homage; Out of compassion for me, The Supreme Man stood still. Having bowed at the Teacher's feet, Standing to one side then; I requested ordination, The best for all beings. Then the compassionate Teacher, Compassionate to all the world; Said to me, 'Come, monk!' That was my full ordination. So I, alone in the forest, Dwelling diligently; Did the Teacher's bidding, As the Conqueror instructed me. In the first watch of the night, I recollected past lives; In the middle watch of the night, I purified the divine eye; In the last watch of the night, I shattered the mass of darkness. Then at the end of the night, As the sun was rising; Indra and Brahmā came, And saluted me with joined palms. 'Homage to you, noble man, Homage to you, supreme man; Whose defilements are destroyed, You are worthy of offerings, venerable sir.' Then the Teacher, seeing me, Surrounded by the assembly of gods; Revealing a smile, Spoke this meaning. 'By austerity and holy life, By restraint and by taming; By this one becomes a brahmin, This is the supreme brahmin.' … Sunīta the Elder…. The Twelfth Nipāta is finished. Therein is the summary – Sīlava and Sunīta, These two elders of great power; In the twelfth Nipāta, There are twenty-four verses.