[1366] Having inquired here and there into the way of the former teachers,
the one named Dīpa, of great wisdom, a bearer of the sacred word (sutadhara), discerning,
pondered and had this [work], in detail and in summary, written down
by way of recitation, in a middle course, bringing ease to his pupils.
That which is called the "Parivāra" — every subject-matter together with its characteristics,
meaning by meaning in the true Dhamma, dhamma by dhamma in what has been laid down —
encircles the Dispensation (sāsana) as the ocean encircles Jambudīpa.
For one who does not know the Parivāra — whence could there be a decision according to Dhamma?
Whatever perplexity arises for anyone concerning failure, subject-matter, regulation (paññatti),
supplementary regulation (anupaññatti), person, [rules laid down] for one side and for both,
fault by worldly standards and fault by regulation —
it is severed by the Parivāra.
As a wheel-turning monarch amid his great army, as a maned lion in the midst of the deer,
as the sun surrounded by its rays, as the moon amid the host of stars,
as Brahmā in the assembly of Brahmās, as a leader in the midst of his company —
even so does the Vinaya of the true Dhamma shine with the Parivāra.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.