Monday 15 March 2021

Verse 6. Sutra 4 - Makara Brahman

He has no doubt regarding any dharma,

To what one sees and hears or thinks,

Practicing with complete understanding he exerts his faculties thoroughly,

Who here can act as one in the world possessing the five spiritual faculties?

一切法無有疑,
Yīqiè fǎ wú yǒu yí,  
至見聞亦所念,
zhì jiànwén yì suǒ niàn,
諦見聞行力根,   
dì jiànwén xíng lì gēn,
誰作世是六衰?
shuí zuò shì shì liù shuāi?

Parallel: The Pali Sutta Nipata, Atthakavagga - Chap. 4, Verse 793

Discussion: 六衰 (liù shuāi) in the last line is the Sanskrit equivalent of ṣaḍ-indriya. Which can be translated as the five spiritual faculties. In the Pali canon these are: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration and wisdom.