Dhammapada 8: Thousands
(Sahassavaggo)
Translated by Ven Nàrada
P1 P2 E1 100. Better than a thousand utterances, comprising useless words, is one single beneficial word, by hearing which one is pacified.
P1 P2 E1 101. Better than a thousand verses, comprising useless words, is one beneficial single line, by hearing which one is pacified.
P1 P2 E1 102. Should one recite a hundred verses, comprising useless words, better is one single word of the Dhamma, by hearing which one is pacified.
P1 P2 E1 103. Though one should conquer a million 1 men in battlefield, yet he, indeed, is the noblest victor who has conquered himself.
P1 P2 E1 104-105. Self-conquest 2 is, indeed, far greater than the conquest of all other folk; neither a god nor a gandhabba, 3 nor Màra 4 with Brahmà, 5 can win back the victory of such a person who is self-subdued and ever lives in restraint.
P1 P2 E1 106. Though month after month with a thousand, one should make an offering for a hundred years, yet, if, only for a moment, one should honour (a Saint) who has perfected himself - that honour is, indeed, better than a century of sacrifice.
P1 P2 E1 107. Though, for a century a man should tend the (sacred) fire in the forest, yet, if, only for a moment, he should honour (a Saint) who has perfected himself -that honour is, indeed, better than a century of fire-sacrifice.
P1 P2 E1 108. In this world whatever gift 6 or alms a person seeking merit should offer for a year, all that is not worth a single quarter of the reverence towards the Upright 7 which is excellent.
P1 P2 E1 109. For one who is in the habit of constantly honouring and respecting the elders, four blessings increase - age, beauty, bliss, and strength.
P1 P2 E1 110. Though one should live a hundred years, immoral and uncontrolled, yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who is moral and meditative.
P1 P2 E1 111. Though one should live a hundred years without wisdom and control, yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who is wise and meditative.
P1 P2 E1 112. Though one should live a hundred years idle and inactive yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who makes an intense effort.
P1 P2 E1 113. Though one should live a hundred years without comprehending how all things rise and pass away, 8 yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who comprehends how all things rise and pass away.
P1 P2 E1 114. Though one should live a hundred years without seeing the Deathless State, 9 yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who sees the Deathless State.
P1 P2 E1 115. Though one should live a hundred years not seeing the Truth Sublime, 10 yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who sees the Truth Sublime.
End Notes
1 Sahassaü sahassena, thousand multiplied by a thousand, that is, ten lakhs. (Commentary).
2 Atta -The Buddha often uses this term in the sense of oneself or mind but not in the sense of a soul or special self.
3 A class of beings who are supposed to be heavenly musicians.
4 Here Màra is used in the sense of god.
5 Another class of beings, even superior to the gods in heaven, who have developed the Jhànas (ecstasies).
6 According to the Commentary iññhaü is that which is given on festival occasions, and hutaü is that which is prepared and given either to guests or with a belief in kamma and results. The idea conveyed by this stanza is that reverence paid to a Saint is far superior to gifts and alms given to worldlings.
7 They are the Sotàpannas (Stream-Winners) and others who have attained sanctification.
8 The rise and decay of mind and matter - namely: the impermanence of all conditioned things. A disciple of the Buddha is expected to contemplate the fleeting nature of life, so that he may not be attached to illusory material pleasures.
9 Amataü padaü, the unconditioned state of Nibbàna, free from birth, decay and death.
10 The nine supramundane States - namely: the four Paths, the four Fruits, and Nibbàna.