The Dhamma Verses Commentary
Prologue,
Ganthārambhakathā
Reverence to him, the Fortunate One, the Arahat, the Perfect Sambuddha
The world
of darkness, seeing to the end of the
world, he lighted up the True Dhamma,
blazing forth with his psychic power.
After revering the feet of
the illustrious Sambuddha,
and worshipping the True Dhamma,
I pay respects to the Saṅgha.
Moved by compassion here and there,
skilled in Dhamma and adhamma,
come to the true state of Dhamma,
the Teacher (taught) lovely Dhamma Verses.
He taught with the impulse of compassion,
with a very determined mind,
surely increasing the joy and
gladness of Devas and of men.
Nurtured by the lineage, there is a
subtle commentary on the meaning,
in the Tambapaṇṇi island, AJ: now known as Sri Lanka.
written in the island’s language.
But it is not successful for
the welfare of other beings.
It is well to make it succeed
for the welfare of the whole world.
Such was the hope of the virtuous
Elder Kumārakassapa,
who is trained, and of steady mind.
He respectfully made a request
desiring that the True Dhamma
should endure; therefore the diffuse
language and the way of the words
I put aside, and translating
into the language of the texts,
which is pleasing; and whatever
in the verses is not explained
in the letter or in the words,
having explained everything,
all according to its purpose,
I will speak a different language,
bringing to those who have wisdom
joy and gladness in their minds,
depending on practice and theory.