Chapter One

For fifty-five years

I wore dust and dirt.

Eating one meal a month,

I tore out my hair and beard.

I stood on one foot;

I shunned seats;

I ate dried-out dung;

I didn’t accept food set aside for me.

I did many deeds of this kind,

which lead to a bad destination.

Swept away by a great flood,

I went to the Buddha for refuge.

See the going for refuge!

Behold the clear rightness of the teaching!

I’ve attained the three knowledges

and fulfilled the Buddha’s instructions.