[Verse 1]
Rain may fall upon us every day,
Life may change in many different ways.
Some days bring joy, some days bring pain,
Some nights we walk through storms and rain.
[Verse 2]
But build a shelter deep within,
With mindful eyes and strength to begin.
Let wisdom be the walls you raise,
Let peace remain through stormy days.
[Chorus]
A heart that does not fear the rain,
A heart that does not live in pain.
With Dharma as the roof above,
With mindfulness and boundless love.
A heart that does not fear the rain,
Though life may never stay the same.
When the mind is firm and free,
The storm cannot control what we see.
[Verse 3]
Venerable Subhūti spoke of rain,
Of shelter built to guard from pain.
So too the mind, when trained with care,
Can meet the storm and still stay clear.
[Bridge]
Don't ask the rain to disappear,
Don't ask the world to have no fear.
Build your strength from deep inside,
And walk with wisdom as your guide.
[Final Chorus]
A heart that does not fear the rain,
Can find its peace through joy and pain.
Even when the night is long,
Inner wisdom makes us strong.
A heart that does not fear the rain,
Learns to let go without complaint.
Train the mind from day to day,
And peace will find its own way.
[Ending]
The rain may fall, the world may turn,
But peace within is ours to learn.
Build your shelter, strong and bright,
And walk in wisdom toward the light.
The First Chapter of the Theragāthā: Ten Elder Monks on Liberation, Effort, and Inner Peace
The First Chapter of the Ekakanipāta of the Theragāthā, found in Book 26 of the Sutta Piṭaka, Khuddaka Nikāya, presents verses attributed to elder monks who describe their experiences of spiritual practice, discipline, wisdom, and liberation.
The section begins with the Theragāthā of Venerable Subhūti. The group presented here includes ten elders: Subhūti, Mahākoṭṭhita, Kaṅkhārevata, Puṇṇamantanīputta, Dabba, Sītavaniya, Bhalliya, Vīra, Pilindavaccha, and Puṇṇamāsa. The Mahachulalongkorn edition identifies this material as part of the Ekakanipāta, First Chapter.
Subhūti and the Image of Rain
The opening verse attributed to Venerable Subhūti uses rain as a powerful metaphor.
He describes his hut as properly roofed and protected, and compares this external shelter with the inner protection of a mind that has become firmly established and liberated from defilements.
The image suggests that physical shelter alone is not enough. A person may live in a secure house while still experiencing fear, anger, greed, and confusion within.
True security therefore begins with the mind.
Ten Elders, One Path of Inner Transformation
The verses of the First Chapter preserve different expressions of spiritual realization. Each elder has his own circumstances and emphasis, but the collection points toward a common principle: training the mind and overcoming attachment.
The teachings associated with these elders encourage qualities such as wisdom, perseverance, mindfulness, discipline, calmness, and freedom from doubt.
Rather than presenting spirituality as an abstract theory, the verses can be understood as reflections on lived experience.
From External Rain to the Storm Within
The image of rain can also speak directly to modern life.
Every person experiences his or her own “rain”: disappointment, loss, criticism, uncertainty, pressure, and unexpected change.
The goal is not necessarily to stop the rain.
The deeper task is to build an inner shelter strong enough to remain peaceful while the rain continues to fall.
This is the enduring message suggested by Subhūti's verse: external conditions may continue to change, but a well-trained mind does not have to be carried away by every change.
A Teaching for the Modern World
The First Chapter remains relevant because modern people are constantly exposed to information, competition, pressure, and uncertainty.
Mental training can therefore be compared to building a strong house from within.
When the mind develops mindfulness, perseverance, wisdom, and non-attachment, external circumstances gradually lose their power to control one's inner life.
The central message may therefore be expressed as:
“When the mind is firmly established, the storms of the world cannot destroy inner peace.”
The source material is available through the Pali, Pali Roman, Mahachulalongkorn, and commentarial versions listed by 84000.org.
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