ධම්මපදට්ඨකථා (Dhammapada Commentary — Sri Lankan Palm-Leaf MS)

Hail!? O virtuous ones, faithful laymen and laywomen, the immense benefits gained from hearing this True Dhamma Saddharma True Teaching preached by the All-Knowing One in this world serve solely for the peace and tranquility of all beings who aspire to cross over the suffering of the cycle of existence samsara the cycle of birth and death and realize Nirvana. You should keep the Dhamma points contained in this sermon well in mind and engage in wholesome deeds. Therefore, for the sake of one’s own good in this world and the next, by the faithful...

...O virtuous ones, the cycle of existence is truly frightening. For the being lost within it, only the refuge of the Triple Gem tisarana Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha and wholesome deeds provide support. It is very difficult to obtain a human life. It is the sign of the wise to shape the life so obtained according to the Dhamma. During this time? when the dispensation of the Buddha exists, one must strive without delay to perform merit, escape the four states of woe hell, animal kingdom, hungry ghosts, and titans, and arrive at the great deathless Nirvana.