The Dhammapada A Collection of Verses Being One of the Canonical Books of the Buddhists
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The Dhammapada A
Collection of Verses Being
One of the Canonical
Books of the Buddhists
Translated from Pali by F. Max Muller
From: The Sacred Books of the East Translated by Various Oriental
Scholars Edited by F. Max Muller Volume X Part I
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Chapter I The Twin-Verses
1. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded
on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts
with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the
ox that draws the carriage.
2. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded
on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts
with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never
leaves him.
3. "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,"--in
those who harbour such thoughts hatred will never cease.
4. "He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,"--in
those who do not harbour such thoughts hatred will cease.
5. For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by
love, this is an old rule.
6. The world does not know that we must all come to an end here;--but
those who know it, their quarrels cease at once.
7. He who lives looking for pleasures only, his senses uncontrolled,
immoderate in his food, idle, and weak, Mara (the tempter) will certainly
overthrow him, as the wind throws down a weak tree.
8. He who lives without looking for pleasures, his senses well
controlled, moderate in his food, faithful and strong, him Mara will
certainly not overthrow, any more than the wind throws down a rocky
mountain.
9. He who wishes to put on the yellow dress without having cleansed
himself from sin, who disregards temperance and truth, is unworthy of the
yellow dress.
10. But he who has cleansed himself from sin, is well grounded in all
virtues, and regards also temperance and truth, he is indeed worthy of the
yellow dress.
11. They who imagine truth in untruth, and see untruth in truth, never
arrive at truth, but follow vain desires.
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12. They who know truth in truth, and untruth in untruth, arrive at truth,
and follow true desires.
13. As rain breaks through an ill-thatched house, passion will break
through an unreflecting mind.
14. As rain does not break through a well-thatched house, passion will
not break through a well-reflecting mind.
15. The evil-doer mourns in this world, and he mourns in the next; he
mourns in both. He mourns and suffers when he sees the evil of his own
work.
16. The virtuous man delights in this world, and he delights in the next;
he delights in both. He delights and rejoices, when he sees the purity of
his own work.
17. The evil-doer suffers in this world, and he suffers in the next; he
suffers in both. He suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done; he
suffers more when going on the evil path.
18. The virtuous man is happy in this world, and he is happy in the
next; he is happy in both. He is happy when he thinks of the good he has
done; he is still more happy when going on the good path.
19. The thoughtless man, even if he can recite a large portion (of the
law), but is not a doer of it, has no share in the priesthood, but is like a
cowherd counting the cows of others.
20. The follower of the law, even if he can recite only a small portion
(of the law), but, having forsaken passion and hatred and foolishness,
possesses true knowledge and serenity of mind, he, caring for nothing in
this world or that to come, has indeed a share in the priesthood.
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Chapter II On Earnestness
21. Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvana), thoughtlessness
the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not die, those who are
thoughtless are as if dead already.
22. Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this
clearly, delight in earnestness, and rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas
(the elect).
23. These wise people, meditative, steady, always possessed of strong
powers, attain to Nirvana, the highest happiness.
24. If an earnest person has roused himself, if he is not forgetful, if his
deeds are pure, if he acts with consideration, if he restrains himself, and
lives according to law,--then his glory will increase.
25. By rousing himself, by earnestness, by restraint and control, the
wise man may make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.
26. Fools follow after vanity, men of evil wisdom. The wise man
keeps earnestness as his best jewel.
27. Follow not after vanity, nor after the enjoyment of love and lust!
He who is earnest and meditative, obtains ample joy.
28. When the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness, he, the
wise, climbing the terraced heights of wisdom, looks down upon the fools,
serene he looks upon the toiling crowd, as one that stands on a mountain
looks down upon them that stand upon the plain.
29. Earnest among the thoughtless, awake among the sleepers, the
wise man advances like a racer, leaving behind the hack.
30. By earnestness did Maghavan (Indra) rise to the lordship of the
gods. People praise earnestness; thoughtlessness is always blamed.
31. A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in earnestness, who looks
with fear on thoughtlessness, moves about like fire, burning all his fetters,
small or large.
32. A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in reflection, who looks with
fear on thoughtlessness, cannot fall away (from his perfect state)--he is
close upon Nirvana.
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Chapter III Thought
33. As a fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight
his trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult to
hold back.
34. As a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on dry ground,
our thought trembles all over in order to escape the dominion of Mara (the
tempter).
35. It is good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold in and flighty,
rushing wherever it listeth; a tamed mind brings happiness.
36. Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to
perceive, very artful, and they rush wherever they list: thoughts well
guarded bring happiness.
37. Those who bridle their mind which travels far, moves about alone,
is without a body, and hides in the chamber (of the heart), will be free
from the bonds of Mara (the tempter).
38. If a man's thoughts are unsteady, if he does not know the true law,
if his peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect.
39. If a man's thoughts are not dissipated, if his mind is not perplexed,
if he has ceased to think of good or evil, then there is no fear for him while
he is watchful.
40. Knowing that this body is (fragile) like a jar, and making this
thought firm like a fortress, one should attack Mara (the tempter) with the
weapon of knowledge, one should watch him when conquered, and should
never rest.
41. Before long, alas! this body will lie on the earth, despised, without
understanding, like a useless log.
42. Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a
wrongly-directed mind will do us greater mischief.
43. Not a mother, not a father will do so much, nor any other relative;
a well-directed mind will do us greater service.
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Chapter IV Flowers
44. Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama (the lord of
the departed), and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the plainly
shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower?
45. The disciple will overcome the earth, and the world of Yama, and
the world of the gods. The disciple will find out the plainly shown path
of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower.
46. He who knows that this body is like froth, and has learnt that it is
as unsubstantial as a mirage, will break the flower-pointed arrow of Mara,
and never see the king of death.
47. Death carries off a man who is gathering flowers and whose mind
is distracted, as a flood carries off a sleeping village.
48. Death subdues a man who is gathering flowers, and whose mind is
distracted, before he is satiated in his pleasures.
49. As the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower,
or its colour or scent, so let a sage dwell in his village.
50. Not the perversities of others, not their sins of commission or
omission, but his own misdeeds and negligences should a sage take notice
of.
51. Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without scent, are the
fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly.
52. But, like a beautiful flower, full of colour and full of scent, are the
fine and fruitful words of him who acts accordingly.
53. As many kinds of wreaths can be made from a heap of flowers, so
many good things may be achieved by a mortal when once he is born.
54. The scent of flowers does not travel against the wind, nor (that of)
sandal-wood, or of Tagara and Mallika flowers; but the odour of good
people travels even against the wind; a good man pervades every place.
55. Sandal-wood or Tagara, a lotus-flower, or a Vassiki, among these
sorts of perfumes, the perfume of virtue is unsurpassed.
56. Mean is the scent that comes from Tagara and sandal-wood;--the
perfume of those who possess virtue rises up to the gods as the highest.
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57. Of the people who possess these virtues, who live without
thoughtlessness, and who are emancipated through true knowledge, Mara,
the tempter, never finds the way.
58, 59. As on a heap of rubbish cast upon the highway the lily will
grow full of sweet perfume and delight, thus the disciple of the truly
enlightened Buddha shines forth by his knowledge among those who are
like rubbish, among the people that walk in darkness.
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Chapter V The Fool
60. Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who
is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law.
61. If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal,
let him firmly keep to his solitary journey; there is no companionship with
a fool.
62. "These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me," with
such thoughts a fool is tormented. He himself does not belong to himself;
how much less sons and wealth?
63. The fool who knows his foolishness, is wise at least so far. But a
fool who thinks himself wise, he is called a fool indeed.
64. If a fool be associated with a wise man even all his life, he will
perceive the truth as little as a spoon perceives the taste of soup.
65. If an intelligent man be associated for one minute only with a wise
man, he will soon perceive the truth, as the tongue perceives the taste of
soup.
66. Fools of little understanding have themselves for their greatest
enemies, for they do evil deeds which must bear bitter fruits.
67. That deed is not well done of which a man must repent, and the
reward of which he receives crying and with a tearful face.
68. No, that deed is well done of which a man does not repent, and the
reward of which he receives gladly and cheerfully.
69. As long as the evil deed done does not bear fruit, the fool thinks it
is like honey; but when it ripens, then the fool suffers grief.
70. Let a fool month after month eat his food (like an ascetic) with the
tip of a blade of Kusa grass, yet he is not worth the sixteenth particle of
those who have well weighed the law.
71. An evil deed, like newly-drawn milk, does not turn (suddenly);
smouldering, like fire covered by ashes, it follows the fool.
72. And when the evil deed, after it has become known, brings sorrow
to the fool, then it destroys his bright lot, nay, it cleaves his head.
73. Let the fool wish for a false reputation, for precedence among the
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Bhikshus, for lordship in the convents, for worship among other people!
74. "May both the layman and he who has left the world think that this
is done by me; may they be subject to me in everything which is to be
done or is not to be done," thus is the mind of the fool, and his desire and
pride increase.
75. "One is the road that leads to wealth, another the road that leads to
Nirvana;" if the Bhikshu, the disciple of Buddha, has learnt this, he will
not yearn for honour, he will strive after separation from the world.
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Chapter VI The Wise Man
(Pandita)
76. If you see an intelligent man who tells you where true treasures are
to be found, who shows what is to be avoided, and administers reproofs,
follow that wise man; it will be better, not worse, for those who follow
him.
77. Let him admonish, let him teach, let him forbid what is improper!-
-he will be beloved of the good, by the bad he will be hated.
78. Do not have evil-doers for friends, do not have low people for
friends: have virtuous people for friends, have for friends the best of men.
79. He who drinks in the law lives happily with a serene mind: the
sage rejoices always in the law, as preached by the elect (Ariyas).
80. Well-makers lead the water (wherever they like); fletchers bend the
arrow; carpenters bend a log of wood; wise people fashion themselves.
81. As a solid rock is not shaken by the wind, wise people falter not
amidst blame and praise.
82. Wise people, after they have listened to the laws, become serene,
like a deep, smooth, and still lake.
83. Good people walk on whatever befall, the good do not prattle,
longing for pleasure; whether touched by happiness or sorrow wise people
never appear elated or depressed.
84. If, whether for his own sake, or for the sake of others, a man
wishes neither for a son, nor for wealth, nor for lordship, and if he does
not wish for his own success by unfair means, then he is good, wise, and
virtuous.
85. Few are there among men who arrive at the other shore (become
Arhats); the other people here run up and down the shore.
86. But those who, when the law has been well preached to them,
follow the law, will pass across the dominion of death, however difficult to
overcome.
87, 88. A wise man should leave the dark state (of ordinary life), and
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follow the bright state (of the Bhikshu). After going from his home to a
homeless state, he should in his retirement look for enjoyment where there
seemed to be no enjoyment. Leaving all pleasures behind, and calling
nothing his own, the wise man should purge himself from all the troubles
of the mind.
89. Those whose mind is well grounded in the (seven) elements of
knowledge, who without clinging to anything, rejoice in freedom from
attachment, whose appetites have been conquered, and who are full of
light, are free (even) in this world.
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Chapter VII The Venerable
(Arhat).
90. There is no suffering for him who has finished his journey, and
abandoned grief, who has freed himself on all sides, and thrown off all
fetters.
91. They depart with their thoughts well-collected, they are not happy
in their abode; like swans who have left their lake, they leave their house
and home.
92. Men who have no riches, who live on recognised food, who have
perceived void and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), their path is difficult
to understand, like that of birds in the air.
93. He whose appetites are stilled, who is not absorbed in enjoyment,
who has perceived void and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), his path is
difficult to understand, like that of birds in the air.
94. The gods even envy him whose senses, like horses well broken in
by the driver, have been subdued, who is free from pride, and free from
appetites.
95. Such a one who does his duty is tolerant like the earth, like Indra's
bolt; he is like a lake without mud; no new births are in store for him.
96. His thought is quiet, quiet are his word and deed, when he has
obtained freedom by true knowledge, when he has thus become a quiet
man.
97. The man who is free from credulity, but knows the uncreated, who
has cut all ties, removed all temptations, renounced all desires, he is the
greatest of men.
98. In a hamlet or in a forest, in the deep water or on the dry land,
wherever venerable persons (Arhanta) dwell, that place is delightful.
99. Forests are delightful; where the world finds no delight, there the
passionless will find delight, for they look not for pleasures.
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Chapter VIII The Thousands
100. Even though a speech be a thousand (of words), but made up of
senseless words, one word of sense is better, which if a man hears, he
becomes quiet.
101. Even though a Gatha (poem) be a thousand (of words), but made
up of senseless words, one word of a Gatha is better, which if a man hears,
he becomes quiet.
102. Though a man recite a hundred Gathas made up of senseless
words, one word of the law is better, which if a man hears, he becomes
quiet.
103. If one man conquer in battle a thousand times thousand men, and
if another conquer himself, he is the greatest of conquerors.
104, 105. One's own self conquered is better than all other people; not
even a god, a Gandharva, not Mara with Brahman could change into
defeat the victory of a man who has vanquished himself, and always lives
under restraint.
106. If a man for a hundred years sacrifice month after month with a
thousand, and if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul
is grounded (in true knowledge), better is that homage than sacrifice for a
hundred years.
107. If a man for a hundred years worship Agni (fire) in the forest, and
if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul is grounded (in
true knowledge), better is that homage than sacrifice for a hundred years.
108. Whatever a man sacrifice in this world as an offering or as an
oblation for a whole year in order to gain merit, the whole of it is not
worth a quarter (a farthing); reverence shown to the righteous is better.
109. He who always greets and constantly reveres the aged, four things
will increase to him, viz. life, beauty, happiness, power.
110. But he who lives a hundred years, vicious and unrestrained, a life
of one day is better if a man is virtuous and reflecting.
111. And he who lives a hundred years, ignorant and unrestrained, a
life of one day is better if a man is wise and reflecting.
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112. And he who lives a hundred years, idle and weak, a life of one
day is better if a man has attained firm strength.
113. And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing beginning and end,
a life of one day is better if a man sees beginning and end.
114. And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing the immortal place,
a life of one day is better if a man sees the immortal place.
115. And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing the highest law, a
life of one day is better if a man sees the highest law.
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Chapter IX Evil
116. If a man would hasten towards the good, he should keep his
thought away from evil; if a man does what is go