“You fell asleep saying ‘ascetics’; “‘Samaṇā’ti bhoti supi, you woke up saying ‘ascetics’; ‘samaṇā’ti pabujjhasi; you only praise ascetics, madam—Samaṇāneva kittesi, surely you’ll become an ascetic. samaṇī nūna bhavissasi.

You provide ascetics Vipulaṁ annañca pānañca, with abundant food and drink. samaṇānaṁ paveccasi; I ask you now, Rohiṇī: Rohinī dāni pucchāmi, why do you like ascetics? kena te samaṇā piyā.

They don’t like to work, they’re lazy, Akammakāmā alasā, they live on charity; paradattūpajīvino; always on the lookout, greedy for sweets—Āsaṁsukā sādukāmā, so why do you like ascetics?” kena te samaṇā piyā”.

“Dad, for a long time now “Cirassaṁ vata maṁ tāta, you’ve questioned me about ascetics. samaṇānaṁ paripucchasi; I shall extol for you Tesaṁ te kittayissāmi, their wisdom, ethics, and vigor. paññāsīlaparakkamaṁ.

They like to work, they’re not lazy; Kammakāmā analasā, by giving up greed and hate, kammaseṭṭhassa kārakā; they do the best kind of work—Rāgaṁ dosaṁ pajahanti, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

As for the three roots of evil, Tīṇi pāpassa mūlāni, by pure deeds they shake them off. dhunanti sucikārino; They have given up all wickedness—Sabbaṁ pāpaṁ pahīnesaṁ, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

Their bodily actions are pure; Kāyakammaṁ suci nesaṁ, their actions of speech likewise; vacīkammañca tādisaṁ; their actions of mind are pure—Manokammaṁ suci nesaṁ, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

Immaculate as a conch-shell, Vimalā saṅkhamuttāva, they’re pure inside and out, suddhā santarabāhirā; full of bright qualities—Puṇṇā sukkāna dhammānaṁ, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

They’re learned and memorize the teaching, Bahussutā dhammadharā, noble, living righteously, ariyā dhammajīvino; teaching the text and its meaning: Atthaṁ dhammañca desenti, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

They’re learned and memorize the teaching, Bahussutā dhammadharā, noble, living righteously, ariyā dhammajīvino; unified in mind, and mindful—Ekaggacittā satimanto, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

Traveling afar, and mindful, Dūraṅgamā satimanto, thoughtful in counsel, not restless, mantabhāṇī anuddhatā; they understand the end of suffering—Dukkhassantaṁ pajānanti, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

When they leave a village, Yasmā gāmā pakkamanti, they don’t look back with longing, na vilokenti kiñcanaṁ; but proceed without concern—Anapekkhāva gacchanti, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

They hoard no goods in storerooms, Na te saṁ koṭṭhe openti, nor in pots or baskets. na kumbhiṁ na khaḷopiyaṁ; They seek food prepared by others—Pariniṭṭhitamesānā, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

They don’t receive gold coins, Na te hiraññaṁ gaṇhanti, or gold or silver; na suvaṇṇaṁ na rūpiyaṁ; feeding on whatever comes that day, Paccuppannena yāpenti, that’s why I like ascetics. tena me samaṇā piyā.

They have gone forth from different families, Nānākulā pabbajitā, even different countries, nānājanapadehi ca; and yet they all love one another—Aññamaññaṁ piyāyanti, that’s why I like ascetics.” tena me samaṇā piyā”.

“Dear Rohinī, it was truly for our benefit “Atthāya vata no bhoti, that you were born in our family! kule jātāsi rohinī; You have faith and such keen respect Saddhā buddhe ca dhamme ca, for the Buddha, his teaching, and the Sangha. saṅghe ca tibbagāravā.

For you understand this Tuvaṁ hetaṁ pajānāsi, supreme field of merit. puññakkhettaṁ anuttaraṁ; These ascetics will henceforth Amhampi ete samaṇā, receive our religious donation, too. paṭigaṇhanti dakkhiṇaṁ.

For there we will place our sacrifice, Patiṭṭhito hettha yañño, and it shall be abundant.” vipulo no bhavissati”; “If you fear suffering, “Sace bhāyasi dukkhassa, if you don’t like suffering, sace te dukkhamappiyaṁ.

go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected, Upehi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ, to his teaching and to the Sangha. dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ; Undertake the precepts, Samādiyāhi sīlāni, that will be good for you.” taṁ te atthāya hehiti”.

“I go for refuge to the Buddha, the unaffected, “Upemi saraṇaṁ buddhaṁ, to his teaching and to the Sangha. dhammaṁ saṅghañca tādinaṁ; I undertake the precepts, Samādiyāmi sīlāni, that will be good for me. taṁ me atthāya hehiti.

I used to be brahmin only by kin, Brahmabandhu pure āsiṁ, now I genuinely am a brahmin. so idānimhi brāhmaṇo; Master of the three knowledges, I’m a scholar, Tevijjo sottiyo camhi, a knowledge master, a bathed initiate.” vedagū camhi nhātako”.

… Rohinī therī ….