Aṭṭh’aṅgika-magga Gāthā
Verses on the Eightfold Path
Maggān’aṭṭh’aṅgiko seṭṭho
Saccānaṁ caturo padā.
Virāgo seṭṭho dhammānaṁ
Dipa-dānañ-ca cakkhumā.
Of paths, the eightfold is best. Of truths, the four sayings.
Of qualities, dispassion. Of two-footed beings, the one with the eyes to see.
Es’eva maggo n’atth’añño
Dassanassa visuddhiyā.
Etañ-hi tumhe paṭipajjatha
Mārassenappamohanaṁ.
Just this is the path—there is no other—to purify vision.
Follow it, and that will be for the bewilderment of Māra’s army.
Etañ-hi tumhe paṭipannā
Dukkhass’antaṁ karissatha.
Akkhāto vo mayā maggo
Aññāya salla-satthanaṁ.
Following it, you put an end to suffering & stress.
I have taught you this path having known—for your knowing—the extraction of arrows.
Tumhehi kiccaṁ ātappaṁ
Akkhātāro Tathāgatā.
Paṭipannā pamokkhanti
Jhāyino Māra-bandhanā.
It’s for you to strive ardently. Tathāgatas simply point out the way.
Those who practice, absorbed in jhāna: From Māra’s bonds they’ll be freed.
