Seeing many who inspire confidence, Pāsādike bahū disvā, evolved and well-restrained, bhāvitatte susaṁvute; the seer of the Paṇḍara clan, Isi paṇḍarasagotto, asked the one known as Phussa: apucchi phussasavhayaṁ.

“In future times, “Kiṁchandā kimadhippāyā, what desire and motivation kimākappā bhavissare; and behavior will people have? Anāgatamhi kālamhi, Please answer my question.” taṁ me akkhāhi pucchito”.

“Listen to my words, “Suṇohi vacanaṁ mayhaṁ, O seer known as a Paṇḍara, isipaṇḍarasavhaya; and remember them carefully, Sakkaccaṁ upadhārehi, I will describe the future. ācikkhissāmyanāgataṁ.

In the future many will be Kodhanā upanāhī ca, angry and hostile, makkhī thambhī saṭhā bahū; offensive, stubborn, and devious, Ussukī nānāvādā ca, jealous, holding divergent views. bhavissanti anāgate.

Imagining they understand <j>the depths of the teaching, Aññātamānino dhamme, they resort to the near shore. gambhīre tīragocarā; Superficial and disrespectful towards the teaching, Lahukā agarū dhamme, they lack respect for one another. aññamaññamagāravā.

In the future Bahū ādīnavā loke, many dangers will arise in the world. uppajjissantyanāgate; Idiots will defile Sudesitaṁ imaṁ dhammaṁ, the Dhamma that was taught so well. kilesessanti dummatī.

Though bereft of good qualities, Guṇahīnāpi saṅghamhi, unlearned prattlers, too sure of themselves, voharantā visāradā; will become powerful Balavanto bhavissanti, in running Saṅgha proceedings. mukharā assutāvino.

Though possessing good qualities, Guṇavantopi saṅghamhi, the conscientious and unbiased, <j>acting in the proper spirit, voharantā yathātthato; will become weak Dubbalā te bhavissanti, in running Saṅgha proceedings. hirīmanā anatthikā.

In the future, simpletons will accept Rajataṁ jātarūpañca, currency and gold, khettaṁ vatthumajeḷakaṁ; fields and land, goats and sheep, Dāsidāsañca dummedhā, and bonded servants, male and female. sādiyissantyanāgate.

Fools finding fault in others, Ujjhānasaññino bālā, but unsteady in their own ethics, sīlesu asamāhitā; will wander about, insolent, Unnaḷā vicarissanti, like cantankerous beasts. kalahābhiratā magā.

They’ll be haughty, Uddhatā ca bhavissanti, wrapped in robes of blue; nīlacīvarapārutā; deceivers and flatterers, pompous and fake, Kuhā thaddhā lapā siṅgī, they’ll wander as if they were noble ones. carissantyariyā viya.

With hair sleeked back with oil, Telasaṇṭhehi kesehi, fickle, their eyes painted with eye-liner, capalā añjanakkhikā; they’ll travel on the high-road, Rathiyāya gamissanti, wrapped in robes of ivory color. dantavaṇṇikapārutā.

The deep-dyed ocher robe, Ajegucchaṁ vimuttehi, worn without disgust by the free, surattaṁ arahaddhajaṁ; they will come to loathe, Jigucchissanti kāsāvaṁ, besotted by white clothes. odātesu samucchitā.

They’ll want lots of possessions, Lābhakāmā bhavissanti, and be lazy, lacking energy. kusītā hīnavīriyā; Weary of the forest, Kicchantā vanapatthāni, they’ll stay within villages. gāmantesu vasissare.

Being unrestrained, they’ll keep company with Ye ye lābhaṁ labhissanti, those who acquire profit, micchājīvaratā sadā; and who always enjoy wrong livelihood, Te teva anusikkhantā, following their example. bhajissanti asaṁyatā.

They won’t respect those Ye ye alābhino lābhaṁ, who don’t get lots of stuff, na te pujjā bhavissare; and they won’t associate with the attentive, Supesalepi te dhīre, even though they’re very amiable. sevissanti na te tadā.

Disparaging their own banner, Milakkhurajanaṁ rattaṁ, dyed a vermilion color, garahantā sakaṁ dhajaṁ; some will wear the white banner Titthiyānaṁ dhajaṁ keci, of those of other religions. dhārissantyavadātakaṁ.

Then they’ll have no respect Agāravo ca kāsāve, for the ocher robe. tadā tesaṁ bhavissati; The mendicants will not reflect Paṭisaṅkhā ca kāsāve, on the nature of the ocher robe. bhikkhūnaṁ na bhavissati.

This awful lack of reflection Abhibhūtassa dukkhena, was unthinkable to the elephant, sallaviddhassa ruppato; who was overcome by suffering, Paṭisaṅkhā mahāghorā, inflicted by an arrow strike. nāgassāsi acintiyā.

Then the six-tusked elephant, Chaddanto hi tadā disvā, seeing the deep-dyed banner of the perfected ones, surattaṁ arahaddhajaṁ; straight away spoke these verses Tāvadeva bhaṇī gāthā, connected with the goal. gajo atthopasaṁhitā.

‘One who, not free of stains themselves, ‘Anikkasāvo kāsāvaṁ, would wear the robe stained in ocher, yo vatthaṁ paridhassati; bereft of self-control and truth: Apeto damasaccena, they are not worthy of the ocher robe. na so kāsāvamarahati.

One who’s purged all their stains, Yo ca vantakasāvassa, steady in ethics, sīlesu susamāhito; possessing truth and self-control: Upeto damasaccena, they are truly worthy of the ocher robe.’ sa ve kāsāvamarahati.

Devoid of virtue, a simpleton, Vipannasīlo dummedho, wild, doing what they like, pākaṭo kāmakāriyo; their minds astray, indolent: Vibbhantacitto nissukko, they are not worthy of the ocher robe. na so kāsāvamarahati.

One accomplished in ethics, Yo ca sīlena sampanno, free of greed, serene, vītarāgo samāhito; their heart’s intention pure: Odātamanasaṅkappo, they are truly worthy of the ocher robe. sa ve kāsāvamarahati.

The restless, insolent fool, Uddhato unnaḷo bālo, who has no ethics at all, sīlaṁ yassa na vijjati; is worthy of a white robe—Odātakaṁ arahati, what use is an ocher robe for them? kāsāvaṁ kiṁ karissati.

In the future, monks and nuns Bhikkhū ca bhikkhuniyo ca, with corrupt hearts, lacking regard for others, duṭṭhacittā anādarā; will disparage those Tādīnaṁ mettacittānaṁ, with hearts of loving-kindness. niggaṇhissantyanāgate.

Though trained in wearing the robe Sikkhāpentāpi therehi, by senior monks, bālā cīvaradhāraṇaṁ; simpletons will not listen, Na suṇissanti dummedhā, wild, doing what they like. pākaṭā kāmakāriyā.

With that kind of attitude to training, Te tathā sikkhitā bālā, those fools won’t respect each other, aññamaññaṁ agāravā; or take any notice of their mentors, Nādiyissantupajjhāye, like a wild colt with its charioteer. khaḷuṅko viya sārathiṁ.

Even so, in the future, Evaṁ anāgataddhānaṁ, this will be the practice paṭipatti bhavissati; of monks and nuns Bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīnañca, when the latter days have come. patte kālamhi pacchime.’

Before this frightening future arrives, Purā āgacchate etaṁ, be easy to admonish, anāgataṁ mahabbhayaṁ; courteous in speech, Subbacā hotha sakhilā, and respect one another. aññamaññaṁ sagāravā.

Have hearts of love and compassion, Mettacittā kāruṇikā, and please do keep your precepts. Hotha sīlesu saṁvutā; Be energetic, resolute, Āraddhavīriyā pahitattā, and always staunchly vigorous. Niccaṁ daḷhaparakkamā.

Seeing negligence as fearful, Pamādaṁ bhayato disvā, and diligence as a sanctuary, Appamādañca khemato; develop the eightfold path, Bhāvethaṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ, realizing the state free of death.” Phusantā amataṁ padan”ti.

… … Phusso thero ….