Thirokudda Sutta
From TheBuddhism.Net
A group of ‘Pethas’, who had been relatives of King Bimbisara of ‘Rajagaha’ in a previous birth, came to him in his dream lamenting, in the hope of getting merit and depart from their suffering.The king was so scared that he went to the Buddha early next morning for an explanation. The Buddha described about the relationship between the pethas and the king and preached “Thirokudda Sutta” regarding the giving of merit to the departed relatives.
Thirokuddesu thittanthi – Sandhi singhata kesucha
Dwara bahasu thittanthi – Aganthwaana sakan gharan
Dear King,
The departed ones from previous births who are born “pethas”, linger near the homes of their relatives in the hope of getting merit. Sometimes they hang around the paths that lead to the houses, near the hedges of those houses and at the gates invisible to the human eye.
Pahuthe annapanamhi – Kajja bojje upattithe
N thesan kochi sarathi – Saththanan kamma pachchaya
One should prepare delicious food and give them as alms on behalf of the relatives who are born “Pethas” (because of their aggravating sins) and transfer the merit onto them.
Ewan dadanthi nathinan – Ye honthi anukampaka
Suchin panithan kalena – Kappiyan pana bhojanan
Idanvo nathinan hothu – Sukhitha honthu nathayo
The cha thaththa samaganthwa – Nathipetha samagatha
Grateful devotees should prepare delicious and hygienic food appropriately and offer them to the pious and wish that the immense merit gained by the noble alms giving be transferred to their relatives who are born in the “Petha loka”.
Pahuthe annapaanamhi – Sakkachchan anumodare
Chiran jeewanthu no nathi – Yeyan hethu labhamase
In turn, those relatives who had been in the “petha Loka”, now born as Devas after sharing the merit of alms giving, wish the devotees and their families health, wealth and long life with gratitude.
Amhaakancha katha pooja – Daayakaacha anippala
Nahi thaththa kasi aththi – Gorakkeththanna vijjathi
There is no agriculture or cattle farming in the “Petha loka”. They do not have any other fortune. Their only gain is our transferring of merit by alms giving. Therefore, this merit transfer is a great meritorious deed. We should consider it as a benefit.
Vanijja thaadisi naththi – Hirannena kayakkayan
Itho dinnena yapenthi – Petha kala katha thahin
Besides, there are no business systems in the “Petha loka”. No assets like gold, silver, gems and money. The only comfort of those relatives of ours, who suffer there have is the merit transferred to them by us.
Unname udakan wattan – Yatha ninnan pawaththathi
Ewamewa itho dinnan – Pethanan upakappathi
When the rain falls on to a mountain, the rain water flows down the slope rapidly. Similarly, the merit which is transferred from the human world which is on the upper level is received by those pethas who are on a lower level, easily.
Yatha wari waha pura – Paripoorenthi sagaran
Ewamewa itho dinnan – Pethanan upakappathi
The water from brooks, canals and rivers flows into the ocean. Similarly, the merit we transfer is received by those pethas without fail.
Adaasi me akaasi me – knathi miththa sakacha me
Pethanan dakkinan dajja – Pubbe katha manussaran
“The relatives to whom we transfer merit today have helped us as such; those departed ones had given us property, given us money, cared for us when we were ill, educated us.” Thus, we should remember their good deeds while transferring merit on them.
Nahi runnanwa sokowa – Yachanna paridewana
Nathan pethanamaththaya – Ewan thittanthi gnathayo
There is no benefit in weeping. Wailing and lamenting are useless to oneself and his departed ones since they do not get happiness or comfort out of it.
Ayancha kho dakkhina dinna – Sanghamhi suppathittitha
Dheegharaththan hithayassa – Tanaso upakappathi
Transferring the merits appropriately, from the alms giving to the virtuous, pious monks as stated earlier, stays with them for their benefit for a long time.
So nathi dhammocha ayan nidassitho – Pethana poojacha katha ulara
Balancha Bhikkhuna manuppa dinnan – Thumhehi punnan pasuthan anappakan
Besides, when a person does an alms giving with loving kindness using his righteously earned wealth and transfer the merit on his departed relatives, the society sees a humanely quality in that person. This helps him in his future success since he becomes famous among the people as a grateful benefactor.
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Pastor, I’m curious if Pethas is the same as preta?
This is the first time I read about these beings, Pethas. They can only be comforted through the merits that we transferred to them and which is why it makes more sense why dedication is very important. On top of that, it’s even sadder to learn that these relatives of ours lingering around us all the time, eagerly waiting for us to transfer the merits.
I hope all sentient beings be liberated soonest.
Jacinta,
Pethas is the Pali word for Preta. So they are the same type of being – hungry ghosts.
Thank you.
Thank you for giving the meaning of this sutra. It was very beneficial to me.
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