Long is the night to the sleepless;
long is the league to the weary.
Long is the worldly existence to fools,
who know not the Sumlime Truth.
Should a seeker not find
a companion who is betteror equal,
let him resolutely pursue a solitary course;
there is no fellowship with the fool.
The fool worries, thinking,
"I have sons, I have wealth."
Indeed, when he himself is not his own,
whence are sons, whence is wealth?
A fool who knows his foolishness
is wise at least to that extent,
but a fool who think himself wise
is called a fool indeed.
Though all his life a fool associate
with a wise man,
he no more comprehends
the Truth
Than a spoon tastes the flavour of the soup.
Though only for a moment
a discerning person associates
with a wise man,
quickly he comprehends the Truth,
just as the tongue tastes
the flavour of the soup.
Fools of little wit are enemies
unto themselves as they move about
doing evil deeds
the fruits of which are bitter.
I'll done is that action doing
which one repents later,
and the fruit of which one,
weeping, reaps with tears.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Flowers - Dhammapada
Who shall over this earth,
this realm of Yama
and this sphere of men and gods?
Who shall bring to perfection
the well-taught path of wisdom
as an expert garland-maker
would his floral design?
A striver-on-the-path
shall overcome this earth,
this realm of Yama
and this sphere of men and gods.
The striver-on-the path
shall bring to perfection
the well-taught path of wisdom,
as an expert garland-maker would his floral design.
Realising that his body is like froth,
penetrating its mirage-like nature,
and plucking out Mara's
flower-tipped arrows of sensuality,
go beyond sight of the Kind of Death!
As a mighty flood
sweeps away the sleeping village,
so death carries away the person
of distracted mind
who only plucks the flowers (of pleasure).
The Destroyer
brings under his sway
the person of distracted mind who,
insatiate in sense desires,
only plucks the flowers (of pleasure).
As a bee gathers honey
from the flower without injuring
its colour or fragrance,
even so the sage goes on his alms-round
in the village.
Let none find fault with others;
let none see the omissions
and commissions of others.
But let one see one's own acts,
done and undone.
Like a beautiful flower
full of colour but without fragrance,
even so,
fruitless are the fair words
of one who does not practise them.
Like a beautiful flower of colour
and also fragrant,
even so,
fruitful are the fair words
of one who practises them.
As from a great heap of flowers
many garlands can be made,
even so should many good deeds
be done by one born a mortal.
Not the sweet smell of flowers,
not even the fragrance of sandal,
tagara or jasmine
blows against the wind.
But the fragrance of the virtuous
blows against the wind.
Truly, the virtuous man
pervades all directions
with the fragrance of his virtue.
Of all the fragrances,
sandal, tagara, blue lotus and jasmine
the fragrance of virtue
is by far the sweetest.
Faint is the fragrance
of tagara and sandal,
but excellent is the fragrance of virtuous,
wafting even amongst the gods.
Mara never finds the path
of the truly virtuous,
who abide in heedfulness
and are freed by perfect knowledge.
Upon a heap of rubbish
in the road-side ditch blooms a lotus,
fragrant and pleasing.
Even so, on the rubbish heap
of blinded mortals the disciple
of the Supremely Enlightened One shines
resplendent in wisdom.
this realm of Yama
and this sphere of men and gods?
Who shall bring to perfection
the well-taught path of wisdom
as an expert garland-maker
would his floral design?
A striver-on-the-path
shall overcome this earth,
this realm of Yama
and this sphere of men and gods.
The striver-on-the path
shall bring to perfection
the well-taught path of wisdom,
as an expert garland-maker would his floral design.
Realising that his body is like froth,
penetrating its mirage-like nature,
and plucking out Mara's
flower-tipped arrows of sensuality,
go beyond sight of the Kind of Death!
As a mighty flood
sweeps away the sleeping village,
so death carries away the person
of distracted mind
who only plucks the flowers (of pleasure).
The Destroyer
brings under his sway
the person of distracted mind who,
insatiate in sense desires,
only plucks the flowers (of pleasure).
As a bee gathers honey
from the flower without injuring
its colour or fragrance,
even so the sage goes on his alms-round
in the village.
Let none find fault with others;
let none see the omissions
and commissions of others.
But let one see one's own acts,
done and undone.
Like a beautiful flower
full of colour but without fragrance,
even so,
fruitless are the fair words
of one who does not practise them.
Like a beautiful flower of colour
and also fragrant,
even so,
fruitful are the fair words
of one who practises them.
As from a great heap of flowers
many garlands can be made,
even so should many good deeds
be done by one born a mortal.
Not the sweet smell of flowers,
not even the fragrance of sandal,
tagara or jasmine
blows against the wind.
But the fragrance of the virtuous
blows against the wind.
Truly, the virtuous man
pervades all directions
with the fragrance of his virtue.
Of all the fragrances,
sandal, tagara, blue lotus and jasmine
the fragrance of virtue
is by far the sweetest.
Faint is the fragrance
of tagara and sandal,
but excellent is the fragrance of virtuous,
wafting even amongst the gods.
Mara never finds the path
of the truly virtuous,
who abide in heedfulness
and are freed by perfect knowledge.
Upon a heap of rubbish
in the road-side ditch blooms a lotus,
fragrant and pleasing.
Even so, on the rubbish heap
of blinded mortals the disciple
of the Supremely Enlightened One shines
resplendent in wisdom.
The Mind - Dhammapada
Just as a fletcher straightens,
an arrow shaft,
even so the discerning man
straightens his mind -
so fickle and unsteady,
so difficult to guard and control.
As a fish when pulled out of water
and cast on land
throbs and quivers,
ever so is this mind agitated.
Hence should one abandon
the realm of Mara.
Wonderful, indeed,
it is to subdue, ever swift,
and seizing whatever it desires.
A tamed mind brings happiness.
Let the discerning man
guard the mind,
so difficult to detect and extremely subtle,
seizing whatever it desires.
A guarded mind brings happiness.
Dwelling in the cave (of the heart),
the mind, without form,
wanders far and alone.
Those who subdue this mind
are liberated from the bonds of Mara.
Wisdom never becomes perfect
in one whose mind is not steadfast,
who knows not the Good Teaching
and whose faith wavers.
There is no fear for an awakened one,
whose mind is not sodden (by lust)
nor afflicted (by hate),
and who has gone beyond
both merit and demerit.
Realizing that this body
is as fragile as a clay pot,
and fortifying this mind
like
a well-fortified city,
fight out Mara
with the sword of wisdom.
Then, guarding the conquest,
remain unattached.
Ere long, alas!
This body lie upon the earth,
unheed and lifeless,
like a useless log.
Whatever harm an enemy,
may do to an enemy,
or a hater to a hater,
an ill-directed mind
inflicts oneself a greater harm.
Neither mother, father,
nor any other relative
can do one greater good
than one's own well-directed mind.
an arrow shaft,
even so the discerning man
straightens his mind -
so fickle and unsteady,
so difficult to guard and control.
As a fish when pulled out of water
and cast on land
throbs and quivers,
ever so is this mind agitated.
Hence should one abandon
the realm of Mara.
Wonderful, indeed,
it is to subdue, ever swift,
and seizing whatever it desires.
A tamed mind brings happiness.
Let the discerning man
guard the mind,
so difficult to detect and extremely subtle,
seizing whatever it desires.
A guarded mind brings happiness.
Dwelling in the cave (of the heart),
the mind, without form,
wanders far and alone.
Those who subdue this mind
are liberated from the bonds of Mara.
Wisdom never becomes perfect
in one whose mind is not steadfast,
who knows not the Good Teaching
and whose faith wavers.
There is no fear for an awakened one,
whose mind is not sodden (by lust)
nor afflicted (by hate),
and who has gone beyond
both merit and demerit.
Realizing that this body
is as fragile as a clay pot,
and fortifying this mind
like
a well-fortified city,
fight out Mara
with the sword of wisdom.
Then, guarding the conquest,
remain unattached.
Ere long, alas!
This body lie upon the earth,
unheed and lifeless,
like a useless log.
Whatever harm an enemy,
may do to an enemy,
or a hater to a hater,
an ill-directed mind
inflicts oneself a greater harm.
Neither mother, father,
nor any other relative
can do one greater good
than one's own well-directed mind.
Heedfulness - Dhammapada
Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless,
Heedlessness is the path to death.
The heedful die not.
The heedless are as if dead already
Clearly understanding
this excellence of heedfulness,
the wise exult therein and enjoy the resort
of the Noble Ones.
The wise ones, ever meditative
and steadfastly preserving,
alone experience Nibbana, the incomparable freedom
from bondage.
Ever grows the glory of him
who is energetic and mindful
and is pure in conduct,
discerning and self-controlled,
righteous and heedful.
By effort and heedfulness,
discipline and self-mastery,
let the wise one make for himself
an island which no flood can overwhelm.
The foolish and ignorant
indulge in heedlessness, but the wise on keeps his heedfulness
as his best treasure.
Do not give way to heedlessness.
Do not indulge in sensual pleasures.
Only the heedful and meditative
attain great happiness.
Just as one upon the summit of a mountain
beholds the groundings,
even so when the wise man
casts away heedlessness
by heedlessness
and ascends
the high tower of wisdom,
the sorrowless sage beholds
the sorrowing and foolish
multitude.
Heedful among the heedless,
wide awake among the sleepy, the wise man advances
like a swift horse
leaving behind a weak jade.
By heedlessness did Indra
become the overlord of the gods.
Heedfulness is ever praised,
and heedlessness ever despised.
The monk who delights
in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness advances like fire,
burning all fetter small and large.
The monk who delights
in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness
will not fall
He is close to Nibbana.
Heedlessness is the path to death.
The heedful die not.
The heedless are as if dead already
Clearly understanding
this excellence of heedfulness,
the wise exult therein and enjoy the resort
of the Noble Ones.
The wise ones, ever meditative
and steadfastly preserving,
alone experience Nibbana, the incomparable freedom
from bondage.
Ever grows the glory of him
who is energetic and mindful
and is pure in conduct,
discerning and self-controlled,
righteous and heedful.
By effort and heedfulness,
discipline and self-mastery,
let the wise one make for himself
an island which no flood can overwhelm.
The foolish and ignorant
indulge in heedlessness, but the wise on keeps his heedfulness
as his best treasure.
Do not give way to heedlessness.
Do not indulge in sensual pleasures.
Only the heedful and meditative
attain great happiness.
Just as one upon the summit of a mountain
beholds the groundings,
even so when the wise man
casts away heedlessness
by heedlessness
and ascends
the high tower of wisdom,
the sorrowless sage beholds
the sorrowing and foolish
multitude.
Heedful among the heedless,
wide awake among the sleepy, the wise man advances
like a swift horse
leaving behind a weak jade.
By heedlessness did Indra
become the overlord of the gods.
Heedfulness is ever praised,
and heedlessness ever despised.
The monk who delights
in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness advances like fire,
burning all fetter small and large.
The monk who delights
in heedfulness
and looks with fear at heedlessness
will not fall
He is close to Nibbana.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Pairs - Dhammapada
Dhammapada
A practical guide to right living
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammamanbuddhasa
Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Perfected One, the Supremely Enlightened One
Mind precedes all mental states,
Mind is their chief;
they are all mind wrought.
If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts,
suffering follows him like the wheel
that follows the foot of the ox.
Mind precedes all mental states,
Mind is their chief;
they are all mind wrought.
If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows him
like his never departing shadow.
"He abused me,
he struck me,
he overpowered me,
he robbed me."
Those who harbour such thoughts
do not still their hatred.
"He abused me,
he struck me,
he overpowered me,
he robbed me."
Those who co not harbour such thoughts
still their hatred.
Hatred is never appeased
by hatred in this world.
By non-hatred alone
is hatred appeased.
This is a Law Eternal.
There are those
who do no realize
that one day we must all die.
But those who do not realize this
settle their quarrels.
Just as a storm,
throws down a weak tree,
so does Mara overpower the man
who lives for the pursuit of pleasures,
who is uncontrolled in his senses,
immoderate in eating,
indolent and dissipated.
Just as a storm
cannot prevail against a rocky mountain
so Mara can never overpower
the man lives meditationg
on the impurities, who is controlled
in his senses, moderate in eating
and filled with faith and earnest effort.
Whoever being depraved,
devoid of self control and truthfulness
should don the the monk's yellow robe,
he surely is not worthy of the robe.
But whoever is purged of depravity,
well established in virtues
and filled with self control
and truthfulness,
he indeed is worthy of the yellow robe.
Those who mistake
the unessential to be essential and the essential to be unessential,
dwelling in the wrong thoughts,
never arrive at the essential.
Those who know
the essential to be essential
and the unessentail to be unessentail,
dwelling in the right thoughts,
do arrive at the essential.
Just as rain
breaks through
an ill thatched house,
so passion penetrates
an undeveloped mind
Just as rain
does not break through
a well thatched house,
so passion never penetrates
a well developed mind.
The evil doer
grieved here and hereafter,
he grieves in both the worlds.
He laments and is afflicted,
recollecting his own impure deeds.
The doer of good rejoices here and hereafter,
he rejoices in both the worlds.
He rejoices and exults,
recollecting his own pure deeds.
The evil doew
suffers here and hereafter;
he delights in both the worlds,
The thought, "Evil have i done,"
torments him, and he suffers
even more when gone to realms of woe.
The doer of good
delights here and hereafter;
he delights in both the worlds.
The thought, "Good have I done,"
delights him, and he delights
even more when gone to realms of bliss.
Much thought he recited
the sacred texts,
but acts not accordingly,
the heedless man
is like a cowherd
who only counts the cows of others -
he does not partake
of the blessings of a holy life.
Little though
he recites the sared texts,
but put the Teaching into practise,
forsaking lust, hatred and delusion,
with true wisdom
and emancipated mind
clinging to nothing
of this world and another world
he indeed partakes
of the blessing of a holy life.
A practical guide to right living
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammamanbuddhasa
Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Perfected One, the Supremely Enlightened One
Mind precedes all mental states,
Mind is their chief;
they are all mind wrought.
If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts,
suffering follows him like the wheel
that follows the foot of the ox.
Mind precedes all mental states,
Mind is their chief;
they are all mind wrought.
If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows him
like his never departing shadow.
"He abused me,
he struck me,
he overpowered me,
he robbed me."
Those who harbour such thoughts
do not still their hatred.
"He abused me,
he struck me,
he overpowered me,
he robbed me."
Those who co not harbour such thoughts
still their hatred.
Hatred is never appeased
by hatred in this world.
By non-hatred alone
is hatred appeased.
This is a Law Eternal.
There are those
who do no realize
that one day we must all die.
But those who do not realize this
settle their quarrels.
Just as a storm,
throws down a weak tree,
so does Mara overpower the man
who lives for the pursuit of pleasures,
who is uncontrolled in his senses,
immoderate in eating,
indolent and dissipated.
Just as a storm
cannot prevail against a rocky mountain
so Mara can never overpower
the man lives meditationg
on the impurities, who is controlled
in his senses, moderate in eating
and filled with faith and earnest effort.
Whoever being depraved,
devoid of self control and truthfulness
should don the the monk's yellow robe,
he surely is not worthy of the robe.
But whoever is purged of depravity,
well established in virtues
and filled with self control
and truthfulness,
he indeed is worthy of the yellow robe.
Those who mistake
the unessential to be essential and the essential to be unessential,
dwelling in the wrong thoughts,
never arrive at the essential.
Those who know
the essential to be essential
and the unessentail to be unessentail,
dwelling in the right thoughts,
do arrive at the essential.
Just as rain
breaks through
an ill thatched house,
so passion penetrates
an undeveloped mind
Just as rain
does not break through
a well thatched house,
so passion never penetrates
a well developed mind.
The evil doer
grieved here and hereafter,
he grieves in both the worlds.
He laments and is afflicted,
recollecting his own impure deeds.
The doer of good rejoices here and hereafter,
he rejoices in both the worlds.
He rejoices and exults,
recollecting his own pure deeds.
The evil doew
suffers here and hereafter;
he delights in both the worlds,
The thought, "Evil have i done,"
torments him, and he suffers
even more when gone to realms of woe.
The doer of good
delights here and hereafter;
he delights in both the worlds.
The thought, "Good have I done,"
delights him, and he delights
even more when gone to realms of bliss.
Much thought he recited
the sacred texts,
but acts not accordingly,
the heedless man
is like a cowherd
who only counts the cows of others -
he does not partake
of the blessings of a holy life.
Little though
he recites the sared texts,
but put the Teaching into practise,
forsaking lust, hatred and delusion,
with true wisdom
and emancipated mind
clinging to nothing
of this world and another world
he indeed partakes
of the blessing of a holy life.
Dhammapada
The Dhammapada, an anthology of four hundred and twenty three verses, compiled approximately six hundred years before Christ, belongs to the Khuddaka Nikaya (Compact Collection) of the sacred Buddhist scripture, the Tipitaka. Handed down in the Pali language, in which the Buddha spoke, the Tipitaka (The three Baskets) has preserved the original teachings of the Enlightened One.
The Buddha enunciated his Dhamma (Teachings) in 2 different forms. Though distinct, they ultimately converge in the unfolding of insight into the realities of existence and the beyond. One approach was in philosophical terms, incisive and analytical. The other took the form of discourses in simple, direct language intelligible to the masses, and often precipitated by a specific question or incident. It is from body of material that the Dhammapada was compiled. Each verse was prompted by a particular episode, accounts of which are preserved in the Dhammapada Atthakatha, one of the commentaries on the Pali canon.
What the Gita is to the Hindus, the Bible to Christians and the Koran to Muslims, the Dhammapada is to the Buddhists. For the simple and unsophisticated, it is a sympathetic counsellor; for the intellectually overburdened its clear and direct teachings inspire humility and reflection; for the earnest seeker, it is a perennial source of inspiration. Insight that flashed into the heart of the Buddha have crystallized into these luminous verses of pure wisdom. As profound expressions of practical spirituality, each verse is a guideline to right living. The Buddha unambiguously pointed out that whoever earnestly practices the verses of the Dhammapada would taste the bliss of emancipation.
The Buddha enunciated his Dhamma (Teachings) in 2 different forms. Though distinct, they ultimately converge in the unfolding of insight into the realities of existence and the beyond. One approach was in philosophical terms, incisive and analytical. The other took the form of discourses in simple, direct language intelligible to the masses, and often precipitated by a specific question or incident. It is from body of material that the Dhammapada was compiled. Each verse was prompted by a particular episode, accounts of which are preserved in the Dhammapada Atthakatha, one of the commentaries on the Pali canon.
What the Gita is to the Hindus, the Bible to Christians and the Koran to Muslims, the Dhammapada is to the Buddhists. For the simple and unsophisticated, it is a sympathetic counsellor; for the intellectually overburdened its clear and direct teachings inspire humility and reflection; for the earnest seeker, it is a perennial source of inspiration. Insight that flashed into the heart of the Buddha have crystallized into these luminous verses of pure wisdom. As profound expressions of practical spirituality, each verse is a guideline to right living. The Buddha unambiguously pointed out that whoever earnestly practices the verses of the Dhammapada would taste the bliss of emancipation.
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