Dhammapada 21: Miscellaneous
(Pakiõõakavaggo)
Translated by Ven Nàrada
P1 P2 E1 290. If by giving up a lesser happiness, one may behold a greater one, let the wise man give up the lesser happiness in consideration of the greater happiness.
P1 P2 E1 291. He who wishes his own happiness by causing pain to others is not released from hatred, being himself entangled in the tangles of hatred.
P1 P2 E1 292. What should have been done is left undone, 1 what should not have been done is done. 2 Of those who are puffed up and heedless the corruptions increase.
P1 P2 E1 293. Those who always earnestly practise "mindfulness of the body", 3 who follow not what should not be done, and constantly do what should be done, of those mindful and reflective ones the corruptions come to an end.
P1 P2 E1 294. Having slain mother 4 (craving) and father 5 (conceit) and two warrior kings (views based on eternalism and nihilism), and having destroyed a country (sense-avenues and sense-objects) together with its revenue officer 6 (attachment), ungrieving goes the Bràhmaõa (Arahant).
P1 P2 E1 295. Having slain mother and father and two brahmin kings, and having destroyed the perilous path 7 (hindrances), ungrieving goes the Bràhmaõa (Arahant).
P1 P2 E1 296. Well awakened the disciples of Gotama ever arise - they who by day and night always contemplate the Buddha. 8
P1 P2 E1 297. Well awakened the disciples of Gotama ever arise - they who by day and night always contemplate the Dhamma. 9
P1 P2 E1 298. Well awakened the disciples of Gotama ever arise - they who by day and night always contemplate the Sangha. 10
P1 P2 E1 299. Well awakened the disciples of Gotama ever arise - they who by day and night always contemplate the body. 11
P1 P2 E1 300. Well awakened the disciples of Gotama ever arise - they who by day and night delight in harmlessness.
P1 P2 E1 301. Well awakened the disciples of Gotama ever arise - they who by day and night delight in meditation.
P1 P2 E1 302. Difficult is renunciation, difficult is it to delight therein. Difficult and painful is household life. Painful is association with those who are incompatible. Ill befalls a wayfarer (in saüsàra). Therefore be not a wayfarer, be not a pursuer of ill.
P1 P2 E1 303. He who is full of confidence 12 and virtue, possessed of fame and wealth, he is honoured everywhere, in whatever land he sojourns.
P1 P2 E1 304. Even from afar like the Himalaya mountain the good reveal themselves. The wicked, though near, are invisible like arrows shot by night.
P1 P2 E1 305. He who sits alone, rests alone, walks alone, unindolent, who in solitude controls himself, will find delight in the forest.
End Notes
1 Observance of morality, practise of meditation, etc.
2 Such as decoration of umbrellas, sandals bowls, belts, etc.
3 Contemplation on the loathsomeness of the body.
4 Màtà = (mother) represents craving (taõhà) as it produces birth.
5 Pità = (father) represents "I-conceit".
6 Sànucaraü = (revenue officer) here represents clinging to life (nandiràga).
7 Veyyagghapa¤camaü, this term is used to denote the five hindrances (nãvaraõa) of which doubt or indecision (vicikicchà) is the fifth. Veyyaggha means a perilous path infested with tigers. Doubt is comparable to such a path (Commentary). The other four hindrances are: sense-desire (kàmacchanda), ill-will (vyàpàda), restlessness and brooding (uddhacca-kukkucca), and slot and torpor (thãna-middha). They are called hindrances because they obstruct the path to heavenly bliss and Nibbàna.
8 Reflection on the virtues of the Buddha, the Enlightened One.
9 Reflection on the virtues of the Dhamma, the Teaching (of the Enlightened One).
10 Reflection on the virtues of the Sangha, the Noble Order of Disciples (of the Enlightened One).
11 Contemplation on the loathsomeness of the body.
12 Saddhà trustful confidence based on knowledge. Buddhism has no place for blind faith.