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THE DHAMMAPADA - A Direct Translation.


________________________________________________________________


Spoken by The Sakyamuni BUDDHA (563-483 BC)


'Dhammapada' means - the True Way
- the Right & Real Route
- the Path of Dhamma


The 2nd book of the Khuddaka Nikaya (The minor collection) in the
Sutta Pitaka of the Tipitaka (three baskets) Pali Canon, which is
the Sacred Scriptures of Theravada Buddhism. (Way of the Elders)

_________________________________________________________________



I

Twin Pairs - Yamaka Vagga

-----------


ORIGIN

Intention always comes first.
Intention is of all states the primer!
By intention are all things initiated!
By thought of mind are all phenomena formed.
So - if with good intention one thinks, speak or act
Joy surely follows one like the never-leaving shadow
However !!!
- if with evil intention one thinks, speak or act
Pain certainly follows one like the wheel follows the car.

Dhammapada 1+2

-----------


BURNING

Those absorbed in such accusations as:
"He/She/They abused, hurt, did me or us wrong "
whether right or wrong ! such foolish ones only prolong
own pain by being obsessed by own anger.
However !!!
Those freed of these accusations:
"He/She/They abused, hurt, did me or us wrong "
noting: whether right or wrong - so what !!! -
such clever ones stop own pain by relinquishing all anger.

Dhammapada 3+4

-----------


FUEL ON FIRE ?

Not by anger is Hate ever quenched.
Only by Kindness is Hate always quenched.
This Ancient Law is an Eternal ... Truth ... !

Dhammapada 5

-----------


GREPPING THE WHEEL

The crowd often do not know how
to control themselves here & now.
The wise, who do know this necessity
of self-control, end their quarrels.
Their disputes all cease right there & then.

Dhammapada 6

-----------


DRIFTING

Whoever lives in search & urge for pleasure & beauty,
unguarded in senses, un-moderately indulging,
lazy, lethargic, inactive, dulled into apathy;
Such ones Mara sweeps away, like breaking a
little branch of a tiny bush ...

Dhammapada 7

-----------


SMILING MOUNTAIN

Whoever lives cooled by genuine disgust,
guarded in senses, moderately enjoying,
alert, active, aware, exerting energetic effort;
Such one Mara find immovable like the wind
the mighty mountain ...

Dhammapada 8

-----------


HUMAN DUST

The impure person, uncontrolled, immoral, keeping secrets
not honest, is neither worthy nor fit for the yellow robe.

Dhammapada 9


-----------


HUMAN TREASURE

The straight person, restrained, keeping precepts, open
& honest, is both worthy & fit for the yellow robe.

Dhammapada 10

-----------


CONFUSED

Those who mistakes the relative,
to be both essential & absolute,
and mistakes the essential and absolute to be relative,
never attains to neither the essential nor
the absolute ...

Dhammapada 11

-----------


ASSURED


Those who see the essential in the essential
and the absolute in the absolute,
discriminating what is merely relative,
attains to the essential & absolute ...

Dhammapada 12

-----------


PRONE

Exactly as rain penetrate and enter
a house with a leaky roof, even so do
all desire, greed, and urge of craving
penetrate and enter the undeveloped,
unrefined & unpurified mind.

Dhammapada 13

-----------


REFINED


Exactly as rain cannot neither penetrate
nor enter a house with a tight roof, even so
cannot any desire, greed, nor urge of craving
penetrate nor enter the well developed, well
refined, well purified mind.

Dhammapada 14

-----------


DOING GOOD


Here and now the good-doer rejoices...
Even so after passing away and reemerging,
the doer of good reaps only joy and satisfaction ...
So both here and there the wise with merit well done,
enjoys the purity of prior actions.

Dhammapada 15

-----------


DOING BAD


Here and now the bad-doer suffers...
Even so after passing away and reemerging,
the doer of wrong reaps only pain and regret ...
So both here and there the fool with wrong &
evil behavior badly done suffers from the
inevitable results of prior impure actions.

Dhammapada 16

-----------


REJOICING


Here he rejoices. So too after death he rejoices.
The one having done good works rejoices both places !
Remembering, looking back, seeing & thinking:
"Ohh, I have done these good works, well done",
he enjoys the bliss of the happy worlds even more ...

Dhammapada 17

-----------


REMORSE

Here he suffers. So too after death he suffers.
The evil-doer having done wrong suffers pain,
regret & remorse both places !
Remembering, looking back, seeing & thinking:
"Ohh, I have done bad actions of evil nature" he suffers
the pain of the miserable worlds even more ...

Dhammapada 18

-----------


INTELLECTUAL


Although one is expert in reciting the holy scriptures,
writing & speaking much sense, if not living and
actually acting according to this very same Dhamma,
such one enjoys not even a fraction of the Noble life !

Dhammapada 19

-----------


PRACTICAL

Even when a novice do not recite the holy scriptures,
and neither write nor speak much sense, if always living
and actually acting according to this Dhamma, such one
certainly enjoys the whole of the Noble life ...

Dhammapada 20

________________________________________________________


Dhammapada - the True Way

II

Seriousness - Appamada Vagga


-----------


HEEDLESS


Careful seriousness is the way to the deathless state.
Careless shallowness is the way to repeated death.
The careful one becomes undying, while the careless one
is as if already dead ... (again) !!!

Dhammapada 21

-----------


HEEDFUL

The clever ones knows that very seriousness to
make the difference, knows it to be the choice select.
Carefully they make themselves joyfully enraptured,
all rejoicing while immersed in the Noble state.

Dhammapada 22

-----------


EXPERTS

They who meditate regularly;
They who endure enthusiastically;
They who exert effort;
These wise ones attain Nibbana;
The supreme Peace, the sublime Bliss.

Dhammapada 23

-----------


SPREADING FAME


One who exerts effort,
one who is alert and always aware,
one who does good deeds voluntarily & deliberately,
one who is kind and considerate in all dealings,
one who is restrained & controlled,
one who lives according to the real truth of Dhamma,
carefully & seriously,
the Fame of such one grows ever & exceedingly.

Dhammapada 24

-----------


SAFETY

By arousing and inspiring oneself to
putting forth stable & energetic effort;
By meticulous carefulness;
By well trained, well restrained self-control,
the wise & clever ones make themselves an island
so safe, that no flood nor any fever can ever
overwhelm nor overcome them.

Dhammapada 25


-----------


GUARDING versus DRIFTING

Fools, ignorants drift carelessly around to and fro.
The clever one meticulously guard his long-cultivated
thorough carefulness, as his greatest treasure.

Dhammapada 26


-----------


THE REAL BLISS

So do not give in to the carelessness of only
playful indulgence in pleasures of the senses,
since serious practice of meditation results verily
in profound Bliss, Yeah!, the immense happiness
of Nibbana ... The ease of peace ...

Dhammapada 27

-----------


CLEAR-SIGHTED, ABOVE & ALOOF

When the clever one develops carefulness,
thereby leaving carelessness, it is as if climbing
a staircase made of insight, step by step ...
Such wise one gazes joyfully down as from a mountain top
- called certainty - on the simple folk stressing around below.

Dhammapada 28


-----------


ADVANTAGE


Careful among the careless,
wide awake among the sleeping slumbers,
the clever one leave them all behind like
a racer out-pace the turtles.

Dhammapada 29


-----------


SERIOUSLY

By being seriously careful, Sakka !
king of the gods attained his supremacy.
Always is carefulness praised by all.
Always is carelessness blamed by all.

Dhammapada 30


-----------


CONQUEROR

Enjoying the results of being both serious
and meticulously careful, seeing acute and
terrible danger in any even minor sign of careless
slackness, the Bhikkhu burns his way right through
all obstructing fetters, be they mighty or not.

Dhammapada 31


-----------


SMELLING THE LIGHT

The Bhikkhu who delights in carefulness,
and views with fear the danger of sloppy
carelessness, just simply cannot fall away,
but is indeed quite near Nibbana.

Dhammapada 32


_____________________________________________________


Dhammapada - the True Way

III

Mind - Citta Vagga


-----------


JUMPER OR FIXED

This flickering, fleeting and fickle mind,
difficult to guard, hard to control are thoughts,
the clever one therefore make the mind straight
and stable, just as a fletcher line up an uneven
arrow shaft.

_____
__________ /- \
\ -- _ /
\ /
\ /
\____/

Dhammapada 33



-----------


SHAKING THE CHAIN


Like a fish hauled on land
flutter and flaps all trembling,
exactly & even so do mind, when forced
out of Mara's field of lusty fever.

Dhammapada 34


-----------


TAMING


Advantageous is the taming of the thoughts,
which otherwise set off suddenly, shifts and cross,
coming and going in all directions ...
The tamed & calmed mind is therefore a bringer
of first peace, then bliss.

Dhammapada 35


-----------


GUARDING


Thoughts are of a exceedingly subtle nature,
hard to see, invisible, untouchable, momentary,
emerging & jumping when & wherever they like !
The clever one therefore observe and guard these
ever changing thoughts. Guarded thoughts brings
happiness & ease ... !!!

Dhammapada 36


-----------


DAMPENING


Thoughts all by themselves wander,
light as fantasies, though still hidden in mind.
Those who subdue thoughts, are freed from
the bondage of temptation.

Dhammapada 37


-----------


STEADYING

The one whose mind is not steady,
who does not know what is the true Dhamma,
- The real Reality -
whose faith wavers - such one never
attains perfected insight.

Dhammapada 38


-----------


NEITHER ATTRACTED NOR REPELLED = FEARLESS

The one whose mind is not drawn into any lust,
whose mind is neither strained by any aversion,
whose mind is both beyond good and evil, for
such awakened one, there is no fear ...

Dhammapada 39


-----------


KNOWING TIME

Knowing this body to be as fragile as a clay-pot,
making this very thought firm as a city, one
should attack Mara with this weapon of wisdom,
guard thereafter carefully, what is conquered.

Dhammapada 40


-----------


THE ALTAR OF THE TEMPLE

Soon this body will fall to the ground,
rejected, without any consciousness,
useless like a rotten log of wood ...

Dhammapada 41


-----------


MAKER OF CATASTROPHES

Whatever an enemy might do to an enemy,
or one who hates to another blinded by hate,
the mind wrongly directed by false or evil view,
may do to oneself, yet even far much worse !!!

Dhammapada 42


-----------


WONDER

Neither mother nor father nor any other family
member can do you any better, than a well directed
mind.

Dhammapada 43


__________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way

IV

Flowers - Puppha Vagga


-----------


WHO ?

Who will fully comprehend this earth-world together
with the lower painful and higher divine worlds as well ?
Who will investigate all the 37 sublime Dhammas even as an
expert pluck delicate flowers ?


Dhammapada 44


-----------


BE BUDDHIST

The training disciple will conquer by full comprehension
this, the lower and the divine worlds as well ! The training
disciple will directly experience these 37 states, even as an
expert enjoys a well composed bouquet of flowers.

Dhammapada 45


-----------


MOMENTARY

Whosoever knows this body
to be as temporary as a bubble,
as insubstantial as the mirror image,
such one will break the flower tipped
arrows of Mara and cannot be seen by
this King of Death ...

Dhammapada 46


-----------


SURPRISE

Death carries off the man while distracted
by gathering flowers of sensual pleasures,
exactly & even so as a great flood carries
away the sleeping village.

Dhammapada 47


-----------


OFF GUARD

Death sweeps away the man distracted by
not yet had his fill of sensual pleasures,
even as he gathers these poisonous flowers.

Dhammapada 48


-----------


SWEET & SILENT

Harmless to the flower, it's scent & color
is the bee who gathers it's honey. Even &
exactly so should the wandering Bhikkhu visit
the villages.

Dhammapada 49


-----------


WRONG versus RIGHTLY DIRECTED ATTENTION

What others do, did, or left undone is irrelevant.
Do not search after other's faults, but rather look
carefully upon own flaws and for what you yourself
do, did or left undone !!!

Dhammapada 50


-----------


SPILLED MILK

As the flower which is beautiful in color but lacking scent,
even & exactly so is the well spoken true word used upon one
who neither reflect nor act upon it.

Dhammapada 51


-----------


THE SEED SUPREME

As the beautiful flower, lovely both in color and scent,
even & exactly so is the well spoken true word fruitful
for one who reflects and act accordingly.

Dhammapada 52


-----------


THE PRECIOUS POSSIBILITY

Just as one can make many varied bouquets from a single
big bunch of flowers, a mortal among the humans can
make many kinds of merit by various good deeds.

Dhammapada 53


-----------


THE FAIRY FIELD

The scent of flowers does not diffuse against the wind,
whether it be jasmine or incense of sandalwood.
The fragrance of good do however waft against the wind.
The kindness of the good ones, perfuses all directions with
this perfume of friendliness.

Dhammapada 54


-----------


UN-DEFILED

Above and beyond of all varieties of perfume,
whether of rose, sandalwood or lotus, the
fragrance of a virtuous moral stands supreme.

Dhammapada 55


-----------


TRANSCENDING

Weak is the smell of rose, jasmine and any orchid
when compared to the virtuous men. Such odor
excels even up to the divine levels.

Dhammapada 56


-----------


INVISIBLE

Those who are possessed of moral,
living alert and aware,
who are freed through perfected insight,
cannot never ever be seen nor so found
by Mara - the evil one - ...

Dhammapada 57


-----------


THE LIGHT IN THE DARK

Even in a heap of rubbish dumped on the road,
may the lotus grow, with this sublime fragrance
which delights the mind.
Even & exactly so may the noble disciple of the
awakened ones shine forth his wisdom among the
blinded mess of simple people

Dhammapada 58 + 59

_________________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way

V

The Simpleton - Bala Vagga


-----------


LOONG

Long is samsara for the simpleton not knowing the Dhamma.
Long is the night for one who keeps Awake.
Long is the mile for one who is tired.
Long is the chain of rebirth for one
who is unaware of the true Dhamma.

Dhammapada 60


-----------


IDEAL SOLITUDE

Avoid going along with fools. Should one
fail to find one better or equal as companion,
then one should continue the journey alone !
There is no friendship with fools.

Dhammapada 61

-----------


ONE IS NOT ONE'S OWN !

"I have sons, I have wealth" thinks the fool,
unknowingly causing himself worry.
When he has not even a 'self' of his own,
how much less then any sons,
how much less then any wealth ?

Dhammapada 62


-----------


DISCOVERING THE TREASURE

The fool who discovers his own foolishness,
thereby becomes wise. But the simpleton who
deceives himself to be wise, is verily a fool.

Dhammapada 63


-----------


BLOCKED OR OPEN

Even when the fool follows the wise lifelong,
he cannot understand his truth,
just as the spoon cannot taste the soup..
However, when the intelligent even for few moments
listen to the wise, he grasps his truth,
just as the tongue immediately taste the soup.

Dhammapada 64+65


-----------


ONE'S OWN ENEMY

The worst enemy of the simple fool is himself !
This his 'self' commit the doings, from which he
long reaps the result of bitter pain.

Dhammapada 66


-----------


BITTER FRUIT

That action which one regrets is not good...
Experiencing the result of such ill deed,
one later weeps with a tearful face.

Dhammapada 67


-----------


SWEET FRUIT

That action which one do not regret is good.
Experiencing the result of such beneficial deed,
one is long pleased and happy.

Dhammapada 68


-----------


CAUSE, DELAY, EFFECT

Initially the taste of the bad deed appears as sweet
as honey to the fool. Later, however, when the evil
result ripens he grieves in pain.

Dhammapada 69

-----------


USELESS TORTURE

Even though the fool starve himself, month after month,
eating only from the tip of a straw of grass,
he is not worth a 16th fraction of one,
who have well comprehended the real truth of Dhamma.

Dhammapada 70


-----------


SMOULDERING SMUDGE

Just as fresh milk do not sour at once, the evil action
do not ripen immediately. Rather it burns the fool after
a long smouldering, like embers covered with ashes.

Dhammapada 71


-----------


ABUSE

Whatever power, fame or skill the fool acquires, misused,
it destroys his future, as if cleaving his head in 7 parts.

Dhammapada 72

-----------


NAME & FAME

Fools seeks false reputation,
want to take the lead among bhikkhus,
urge for authority over monasteries and
is attached to the respect of families.

Dhammapada 73


-----------


PUFFED PRIDE + POWER = POISON

Puffing up his pride & ambition for power
he drives up his greed. He wishes:
"Let both layman and monk know that I alone
did this. Let them be under my control alone,
both in all things to be done and in all things
not to be done ..."

Dhammapada 74

-----------


THE NOBLE WAY IS FOR NIBBANA, NOTHING ELSE !

One way is to get name, fame & gain.
Another way is to Nibbana. Seeing this,
let the Bhikkhu, the true disciple of the Buddha,
reject both name, fame and gain,
seeking only the joy of solitary seclusion.

Dhammapada 75

_____________________________________________________


Dhammapada - the True Way

VI


The Wise - Pandita Vagga


-----------


HIDDEN TREASURE

One should follow the one giving intelligent critique
as he is revealing hidden treasure. For all those following
such wise one, it all grows better not worse.

Dhammapada 76


-----------


LIKED-&-HATED

The one who advises, instructs and restrain others
from all improper behavior, becomes loved by the good
and clever, while hated by the bad & foolish.

Dhammapada 77


-----------


ADVANTAGEOUS COMPANY

Avoid going along with wrong doers.
Do not associate with fools. Rather
accompany the Good and cultivate
friendship with the Wise & Noble.

Dhammapada 78


-----------


CLEARED CALM

The one who drinks Dhamma sleeps at ease,
calmed & cleared. The intelligent ones enjoys
to delight in the Teaching of the Noble Ones.

Dhammapada 79


-----------


STILLED

Canal makers direct the water.
Arrow makers straighten their shafts.
Carpenters plane their pieces of wood.
The Wise & Noble tame their Mind.

Dhammapada 80


-----------


UNSHAKABLE

Like solid rock is not moved by any storm,
even & exactly so remain the wise unshaken,
whether praised or blamed.

Dhammapada 81


-----------


DEEP

Even as the deep lake is still & clear,
even & exactly so do hearing the Dhamma
calm the wise.

Dhammapada 82


-----------


INVARIABLE

The clever let go of all,
withdrawing silently and stilled,
such wise ones whether touched
by success or sorrow, remains unstirred
all the same.


Dhammapada 83


-----------


CLEAN

Neither for oneself nor for another
should one wish for sons, wealth or estate
gained by unfair means. Only so do one
remain upright, straight, virtuous & righteous.

Dhammapada 84


-----------


RARE

Few indeed are those who reach the other shore.
Most merely run to & fro along this bank ...

Dhammapada 85


-----------


BEYOND

But those who listen and act accordingly,
when the depth of Dhamma is revealed,
they indeed cross beyond this realm of
Death so hard to overcome.

Dhammapada 86


-----------


SUPREME STEP

Leaving the Dark, adopting the Light state,
the clever leave home for the homeless state.
The joy of solitary seclusion is otherwise hard
to find.

Dhammapada 87


-----------


PURGED

There they seek the truly Great delight
of being attached to Nothing ...
Freed from all urge of any sensing,
the wise purges mind of all impurity.

Dhammapada 88


-----------


ENLIGHTENED

Those whose minds have well developed & perfected
the seven links, the seven wings to Awakening;
Who are without even trace of any Clinging;
Lacking all mental Fermentation, shining radiant
quite bright & clear, verily these Wise have gained
Nibbana, yet even still in this very world.


Dhammapada 89


________________________________________________________


Dhammapada - the True Way

VII

The Arahat - Arahanta Vagga


-----------


FREED

For him who has completed this journey.
For him who is untouched by any pain or sorrow.
For him who is in every-way wholly freed.
For him who has broken all chains.
For such one no Suffering is Possible !


Dhammapada 90


-----------


DETACHED

Those who are mindful, exert effort not to cling
to any house. Home after home they leave like
swans take off from various lakes.

Dhammapada 91


-----------


ULTRA-LIGHT

No accumulation = No trace

Who neither have any store of unripened results,
nor any store of physical matter;
Who is released into the uncaused & sign-less void;
Verily, they leave no trace even as a bird fly through air.

Dhammapada 92


-----------


UNCONTAMINATED

The one cleared of all mental fermentation;
who is independent of all 4 nutriments;
whose abiding is the unconditioned & empty deliverance;
is untraceable like the bird in the air.

Dhammapada 93


-----------


COOLED

One whose senses have been guarded & calmed,
like horses well tamed by the trainer, whose pride,
conceit & mental fermentation are all uprooted,
such one is loved even by the Divine ones.

Dhammapada 94


-----------


BALANCED

Like the Earth, the Noble show no resentment.
Like the deep-dug pillar, firm in vows, pious & pure.
Like the pool clear & cool, free from mud.
Such one have ended the round.

Dhammapada 95

Sariputta in memoriam
The Captain of the Faith
The General of the Dhamma



-----------


CALM

Calmed is his mind.
Calmed is his speech.
Calmed is his action.
So is the Tranquility;
So is the Equanimity;
of one freed by the Insight
of right knowledge.

Dhammapada 96


-----------


EATING FUTURE

The one who do not desire anything
but directly know even the uncreated;
not satisfied, such one breaks off any
possibility for rebirth by swallowing
what he has made. Such one is the Supreme
- The Courageous Conqueror ...


Dhammapada 97


-----------


RADIANT

Whether in village or forest, on land, sea
or mountain; where Arahats dwell all is
indeed delighted and swell.

Dhammapada 98


-----------


SOLITARY

Delighting are the forests, where the passionate
folk do not haunt their common pleasures.
There the cooled one finds the Bliss not of this World.

Dhammapada 99


____________________________________________________________


Dhammapada - the True Way

VIII

Thousands - Sahassa Vagga


-----------


EXACT ELEVATION

Even a thousand words will not work
if lacking meaning, essence, relevance.
Better is a few words, exact & clear,
promoting peace & calm.

Dhammapada 100

Look before you leap.
Think before you speak.


-----------


ULTRA-CUT

Even a thousand sentences can be meaningless.
Better is a single sentence whereby one is released.

Dhammapada 101


-----------


POINTING OUT

Even reciting a hundred verses made of words of no meaning.
Better is a single word of Dhamma whereby one awakens.

Dhammapada 102


-----------


CONQUEROR


Even after having defeated a million men,
one is better off conquering oneself.

Dhammapada 103


-----------


VICTORY

Victory over self is superior to victory over others.
Winning self-control & you are forever in power !

Dhammapada 104


-----------


UNBEATABLE

Neither a God, Demon, Devil or Brahma
can undo the victory of one who has won
self-control ....

Dhammapada 105



-----------


USELESS

Though a man, month after month offer
a thousand pieces of money, even for a
hundred years, he better honor even for
a single instant the Noble who have
trained himself.

Dhammapada 106


-----------


ATTENDING IRRELEVANCE

Though a man, day after day, should burn
a sacrifice, bathe ceremoniously or do whatever
empty ritual, he better honor even for a single instant
the Noble disciple of the Buddha, well-trained
well-restrained ...


Dhammapada 107


-----------


RITUAL

Whatsoever daily offer, sacrifice or oblation
even for year, the resulting merit is not worth
a quarter of reverence for those straight, upright
and righteous.

Dhammapada 108


-----------


REGULAR REVERENCE

For one in the habit of honoring and respecting
with salutation the Elders, four things increase:
Age, Beauty, Happiness & Power !!!

Dhammapada 109


-----------


CLEAN & COMPOSED

Even if one should live a hundred years,
if immoral & uncontrolled, better it would be
to live but just a single day morally & meditating

Dhammapada 110


-----------


WISER

Even if one should live a hundred years,
if unwise & unconcentrated, better it would be
to live but just a single day meditating & possessed of insight

Dhammapada 111


-----------


ACTIVE

Even if one should live a hundred years,
if lazy & idle, better it would be
to live but just a single day striving
with all one got.

Dhammapada 112

-----------


DISAPPEARANCE

Even if one should live a hundred years,
not comprehending the emergence and disappearance
of all phenomena, better it would be to live but just a
single day clearly seeing the arising and passing away
of all conditioned states.

Dhammapada 113

-----------


STATE

Even if one should live a hundred years,
without yet tasting the deathless state,
better it would be to live but just a single day,
touching this deathless state.

Dhammapada 114

-----------


CRUCIAL

Even if one should live a full hundred years,
if not reflecting on the Buddha-Dhamma supreme,
better it would be to live but just a single day,
pondering upon the sublime Dhamma.


Dhammapada 115


____________________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way

IX

Evil - Papa Vagga


-----------


INSTANTLY

Act on the instant, hasting to do the good.
While delaying the beneficial act,
the mind slides back & down towards evil.

Dhammapada 116

-----------


NO REPEATS

Should one do bad, one should avoid repeating it again & again,
by denying mind any pleasure therein, since the accumulation of
bad habits bring great misery.

Dhammapada 117


-----------


SYNERGY

Should one do good, then one should strive to repeat it again
& again, by longing after the pleasure of merit therein,
since the accumulation of good habits bring great bliss.

Dhammapada 118


-----------


ROTTEN FRUIT

Even so long the results of bad action has not yet matured,
the wrong doer may live in luck. However when the sour fruit
of evil action falls, the wrong doer experiences only pain.

Dhammapada 119


-----------


SWEET FRUIT

Even so long the results of good action has not yet matured,
the good doer may live in vain. However when the sweet fruit
of good action falls, the good doer experiences only gladness.


Dhammapada 120


-----------


LITTLE BY LITTLE

One should not underestimate the bad as mere trifle
by saying "It will not come to me" .... Since even as a jar
is filled in rain - drop by drop - even & exactly so do
the fool fill himself with habit of bad, wrong & evil.

Dhammapada 121


-----------


STEP BY STEP

One should neither underestimate the good as mere trifle
by saying "It will not come to me" .... Since even as a jar
is filled in rain - drop by drop - even & exactly so do
the wise fill himself with merit of good doings of benefit.

Dhammapada 122


-----------


WISE AVOIDANCE

As a merchant carrying wealth avoids a route with bandits;
As one loving life avoids poison, even & exactly so should
one avoid all bad, wrong & evil action ...

Dhammapada 123


-----------


PROTECTIVE INNOCENCE

The hand that has no wound can handle any poison,
as poison cannot enter the unwounded hand. Even &
exactly so is the innocent protected from all ill.

Dhammapada 124


-----------


NEMESIS

Whoever harms the harmless & innocent beings,
upon such very fool, pain of evil promptly return
as dust thrown against the wind.

Dhammapada 125


-----------


PASSING ON

Some come back as Human.
The Evil fall into the Hells.
The Good rearise among the Divine.
Arahats gain Nibbana.

Dhammapada 126


-----------


INEVITABLE

Neither in the highest heaven, nor in the deepest ocean,
nor in the darkest cave, can anyone escape the consequences
of own evil action ... !!!

Dhammapada 127


-----------


END-MAKER

Neither in the highest heaven, nor in the deepest ocean,
nor in the darkest cave, can anyone escape the overcoming
fact of Death ... !!!

Dhammapada 128


____________________________________________________________





Dhammapada - the True Way

X

Violence - Danda Vagga


-----------


ULTIMATE WRONG

All sentient beings feel pain from violence.
All sentient beings fear death.
Seeing that other beings are just like oneself;
One should treat other beings just like oneself;
One should never ever harm nor kill ...

Dhammapada 129

-----------


ETERNAL LAW

All sentient beings feel pain from violence.
All sentient beings love their life.
Seeing other beings are like oneself;
Treating other beings like oneself;
One should never ever harm nor kill ...

Dhammapada 130


-----------


LOSS

Whoever injures, with hand, weapon or stick any sentient being,
who is only searching for their happiness - when after death -
seeking the very same happiness, such fool never finds it !

Dhammapada 131


-----------


GAIN

Whoever never injures, with hand, weapon nor stick,
beings searching for their happiness - when after death -
seeking very same happiness, such clever & kind one
always gain it !


Dhammapada 132


-----------


BOOMERANG


Do not ever speak harshly as angry talk
is always answered back with angry talk.
Painful indeed is arrogant speech.
The inevitable retaliation invariably falls
back upon such proud boaster.

Dhammapada 133


-----------


SILENCED

If silenced as a broken bell,
such one is close to Nibbana,
and far away from arrogance.

Dhammapada 134


-----------


DRIVEN

Exactly as a cowherd drives the cows forward,
even & exactly so do aging, sickness & death
drive all beings forwards towards the End !

Dhammapada 135


-----------


BURNT

When doing bad the fool do not realize the bad as bad.
Afterwards such simpleton is burnt as with a fire lit by himself.

Dhammapada 136


-----------


10 CONSEQUENCES OF ILL ACTION

Whoever is violent against the harmless;
Whoever offends the innocent;
Whoever disrespects the Noble;
Such fool quite quickly experiences
one of these 10 bad states:
The fool may suffer acute pain, disaster,
injures of body, severe sickness, insanity,
lawsuits from police, accusations, loss of wealth,
fire burns his house & after breakup of his body
he rearise in the painful worlds or the hells ...


Dhammapada 137-140


-----------


FUTILITY

Neither by nakedness, nor matted hair, nor by filth,
nor fasting, nor sleeping on bare ground, nor by ashes,
dust or awkward positions of the body, can any mortal,
who is in doubt, purify his mind.

Dhammapada 141


-----------


ADORNED

Although a man is richly dressed and adorned,
if he is at peace, at ease, in equanimity, calmed,
composed, controlled, celibate and harmless
towards all beings, then verily he is a brahman,
a recluse, a Bhikkhu, a Holy One ...

Dhammapada 142


-----------


PROGRESSOR

Is there a human hero here so controlled by modesty,
that critique is taken, as the horse takes the whip:
increasing speed by increasing effort ?

Dhammapada 143


-----------


FINAL JOB

Using the tools of Faith, moral, effort, determination,
meditation and true understanding of this very Dhamma,
one gradually perfect first knowledge then behavior.
So equipped & aware one may eliminate all of this great
suffering, once and for all ...

Dhammapada 144


-----------


PURSUITS

Truly canal makers lead the water.
Arrow makers straighten the shafts.
Carpenters forms the wood.
Noble ones of vows train their mind.

Dhammapada 145


___________________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way


XI


Aging - Java Vagga




-----------


INAPPROPRIATE

Why laugh ? Why party ?
Always is this world burning !
In darkness, do you not seek the light ?

Dhammapada 146

-----------


THE BODY

See this painted puppet, one big mass of sores,
a diseased frame of skin drawn upon bones,
once possessing many thoughts, a thing much
regarded & beloved, yet it is neither of stable
nor of lasting nature ...

Dhammapada 147



-----------


FORM

This body is worn out, a fragile form, a nest of
disease, a rotting mass of deception, since it's life
surely ends in Death ...

Dhammapada 148


-----------


BONES

Like withered leafs scattered by the autumn wind
are these pale whitened bones. What pleasure
can there be in them ?


Dhammapada 149


-----------


HEAP

It is a city hold up by bones, plastered with flesh,
blood and skin. In it lives aging, sickness, death,
pride & deceit.

Dhammapada 150


-----------


THE GOOD TO GOOD

Even brilliantly painted cars break down.
Exactly so do this body wear out & fall.
The Peaceful State, however, never grows old.
The good ones teach this good one to the good ones ...

Dhammapada 151


-----------


THE OX

The fool of sparse learning, grows old like an Ox;
His flesh increases, but his knowledge not ...

Dhammapada 152


-----------


CRAVING AS CREATOR

Through a countless & verily incalculable number
of painful rebirths have I gone, seeking the creator.
the housebuilder...
Now I see you house-builder; you shall never ever
build this house again ! All your rafters are now broken.
The main roof beam is shattered ! This mind is all stilled
at the unconditional Peace by having so eliminated every
trace of Craving ...

Dhammapada 153-54


-----------



DRY WAITING

They who neither live the Noble life, nor in
youth work together their own welfare as old,
wander about like herons in a dried out pond,
like worn out tools, wailing about past times.

Dhammapada 155-56


______________________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way


XII


Self - Atta Vagga




-----------


AWAKE

If one regard oneself as precious,
one should guard this life well:
Both in youth, in middle & old age,
during the watches of the night one
should keep awake & aware.

Dhammapada 157

-----------


PROPER ORDER

First one should establish oneself in what is right.
Then from there, one can instruct others. Doing so,
The clever One will not be troubled.

Dhammapada 158


-----------


SITTING

First one should make oneself that,
which one instructs others to be ...
Only well tamed oneself,
is one able to tame others ...
Self is hard to tame in praxis,
yet not so, if only in theory!

Dhammapada 159


-----------


SAVIOR

Self is indeed self's own & only savior !
Who else can save you ?
With oneself well tamed, one gain a savior
hard to find otherwise.

Dhammapada 160


-----------


BACKLASH

By self alone is evil done. Even so is evil born of self,
originated in self, initiated by & in self.
This 'self' crushes the fool, like a diamond-drill
grinds even very hard and precious stones.

Dhammapada 161


-----------


DOMINATED

The one whose evil has gripped the whole of his mind,
like a creeper gradually overgrow even the tallest tree,
is - without compare - his own worst enemy ...

Dhammapada 162


-----------


ASYMMETRY

Easy & swift is it to do, what is not beneficial
neither to oneself or others.
While that, which is advantageous to both
oneself & others, is quite difficult to do.

Dhammapada 163


-----------


SELF-DESTRUCTIVE VIEW

The fool who absorbed in false views reviles the Dhamma
of the Arahats, the Nobles & the Righteous, thereby sow
& later reap his own destruction.

Dhammapada 164


-----------


NO OTHER

By self alone is harm done.
By self alone does one suffer this own evil.
By self alone is harm left undone.
By self alone is one purified & thereby saved.
Both destruction and salvation is work of self.
No-one can purify another.

Dhammapada 165


-----------


GOOD-FOR-BOTH

Let no-one neglect own good for the good
of the other, even if seemingly important.
Focused on own good, own freedom, own safety
one should study and practice towards that.

Dhammapada 166


_________________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way


XIII


World - Loka Vagga




-----------


INDULGING

One should not live a low life,
neither a careless life, nor have false views,
or be in love with the world.

Dhammapada 167

-----------


INVESTMENT

Exerting oneself, not careless,
one should live the Dhamma.
By living according to Dhamma,
harmony is assured & one sleeps
happily here & in next world.

Dhammapada 168


-----------


HERE & THERE

One should practice this Dhamma well,
avoiding being sloppy or inaccurate.
One practicing the Buddha-Dhamma,
both in spirit & letter, lives blissfully both
here in this world & in the next to come.

Dhammapada 169


-----------


UNSEEN

As lasting as a bursting bubble;
As illusive as a mirage;
One regarding worldly life quite so, is
forever unseen, even by the King of Death.

Dhammapada 170


-----------


GLITTER

Come see this world as a painted postcard,
wherein the fools helplessly sink, while the
clever remains free & detached.

Dhammapada 171


-----------


BRIGHT

The one who was careless earlier,
but not now, illuminates the world
shining quite bright as the full moon
freed from cloud.

Dhammapada 172


-----------


CLEARED

The one who cover past mistakes with good doings,
such one indeed illuminates the world,
as the full moon freed from cloud ...

Dhammapada 173


-----------


FEW

Blinded is the world, few are those who see.
Fewer becomes divine, than birds escape the net.

Dhammapada 174


-----------



QUITE ELEVATED

Like swans follow the sky, real men fly
through the air by psychic powers.
The resolute ones leave this world,
after having conquered Mara & his army.

Dhammapada 175


-----------


BAD UNLIMITED

Those who break the holy vows,
who speak untrue,
who have no hope of any good future state,
There is no evil, such ones cannot do ...

Dhammapada 176

-----------


RIGHT PRAISING

The miser cannot go divine.
The fool cannot praise giving.
The clever one though, rejoice in giving,
thereby winning bliss in the next world.

Dhammapada 177

-----------


SUPREME SAFETY

In comparison with kingship over whole earth,
In comparison with arising in a divine world,
In comparison with supremacy over all worlds,
the fruit of entering the stream - being Sotapanna -
is of supreme excellence.

Dhammapada 178


____________________________________________________________


Dhammapada - the True Way


XIV


Awakened - Buddha Vagga



-----------


INFINITE

The One whose victory cannot ever be defeated
by anyone nor anything, so for ever unconquered.
Such one is the Buddha of unlimited range & of infinite
powers, trace & track-less. By what will you tempt and
lead such one ?

Dhammapada 179

-----------


UNLIMITED

The one lacking all urge, craving & clinging,
nowhere searching, such is the Buddha.
Of infinite range, of unlimited power, trace &
track-less. By what will you scare & lead such one ?

Dhammapada 180


-----------


DIVINE

Whoever are devoted to meditation,
never giving it up halfway;
Whoever are delighted in leaving all
worldly trouble, not clinging to anything;
Whoever are so acutely aware, alert & awake,
Yeah, even Enlightened; form such ones even
the Divine Devas are longing.

Dhammapada 181


-----------


EXQUISITE

Rare is it to obtain birth in human state;
Hard is life of those prone to death;
Difficult it is, to come to hear the Buddha-Dhamma;
Exquisite is the appearance of Buddhas.

Dhammapada 182


-----------


6-WORD EXACT

Avoiding Harm;
Doing Good;
Purifying Mind;
This is the Teaching of the Buddha !

Dhammapada 183


-----------


TOLERANT

Tolerance is the highest training.
Nibbana is the supreme state.
So all Buddhas say.
The violent one is not a Recluse.
The harmful one is not a Bhikkhu.

Dhammapada 184


-----------


SIMPLE

Not blaming, not harming;
Restrained by the Norm of the Dhamma;
Disciplined by the Code of the Vinaya;
Moderate in eating, remote lodging;
Exerting in Meditation;
This is the teaching of all the Buddhas ...

Dhammapada 185


-----------


DUMMY DECAY

Not even a raining burst of money gives lasting satisfaction !
The clever one knows that to be just another short-lived pleasure,
always followed by frustration !

Dhammapada 186


-----------


LUXURY FEAST

Not even with Divine Delight is the wise one content.
The true Disciple of the supremely awakened one enjoys
only utter elimination of Craving.

Dhammapada 187


-----------


SAFE

To mountains, forests, caves, temples, parks & trees
people run, when severely scared. Such places - however -
cannot ever offer any secure safety nor any final safety.
Not by these are we freed from suffering ...
However;
Whoever seeks the guaranteed safety in the Buddha,
the Dhamma and the Sangha; The jewels three ...
Whoever clearly understands the 4 Noble Truths:
Suffering, Origin of Suffering, End of Suffering,
and The Way to escape Suffering;
By this sure refuge only, by this very sole shelter,
final & absolute secure safety is found
in the freedom from all Suffering ...
in the Deathless State ...
Dhammapada 188-92

-----------


NOBLE

It is not easy to find a man of Noble birth.
Such one is not born everywhere.
Wherever born, the family grows happy.

Dhammapada 193

-----------


EMERGENCE OF HARMONY

Pleasant is the arising of a Buddha.
Pleasant is the teaching of the Dhamma.
Pleasant is peace & unity in the Sangha.
Pleasant is the harmony of those united.

Dhammapada 194


-----------


HONORABLE

Those who honors those worthy of honor:
That is: the Buddha and his followers;
Who are unhindered, sorrowless, fearless,
finders of Nibbana, their merit from such
worthy & well directed honor, cannot be
estimated by anyone ...

Dhammapada 195-96


______________________________________________________________


Dhammapada - the True Way


XV


Happy - Sukha Vagga



-----------


JOY

Oh let us live happily ! Freed from aversion,
going even among those who hate.
Among those in anger, let us live free from all anger.

Dhammapada 197

-----------


CONTENTED

Oh let us live happily ! Freed from discontent,
going even among those, who always want more.
Among those dissatisfied, let us live free from
any discontent.


Dhammapada 198

-----------


DETACHED

Oh let us live happily ! Freed from any attachment,
free from any longing, disentangled, going even
among those who are entangled, engaged,
& always longing. Among those so longing all entangled,
let us live free from all yearning, disentangled.


Dhammapada 199


-----------


NOTHING

Oh let us live happily ! Having nothing at all !
Let us feed on Joy, like the bright shining Devas.

Dhammapada 200


-----------


EASE ;-)

The winner breeds haughty hatred.
The loser lie down suppressed & afflicted.
The One who is beyond both victory & defeat
lives happily, calmed in the peace of ease ... !!!

Dhammapada 201


-----------


COOLED

There is no fire like the fire of Lust.
There is no evil like the evil of Hate.
There is no suffering like Existence.
There is no bliss greater than the
Happiness of Peace, the supreme
Tranquillity of Nibbana.

Dhammapada 202


-----------


SOURCE

Hunger is the worst pain.
The components of being:
Form, Feeling, Perception,
Construction & Consciousness
is the primary source of all
Suffering !
Knowing directly this fact fully
is Nibbana - The supreme Bliss !

Dhammapada 203


-----------


GREAT

Health is the greatest gain.
Contentment is the greatest wealth.
Confidence is the greatest relative.
Nibbana is the greatest Bliss ...

Dhammapada 204


-----------


SWEET

The one who has tasted the sweetness of solitude
in cooled calm, such one fears not, wrongdo not,
as so indeed, is the sweetness of the joy of Dhamma.

Dhammapada 205


-----------


ADVANTAGE

Even just to see a Noble is advantageous.
To live with the Noble is even quite pleasant.
Pleasing it is to be free from fools.

Dhammapada 206

-----------


REGRET

One regrets following fools quite a while,
as company with simpletons like with an enemy,
invariably brings pain.
Otherwise pleasant & inspiring is association
with the calmed ones, as a meeting with elder
relatives.

Dhammapada 207

-----------


TRACKING

One should follow those who are determined,
tolerant, enduring, intelligent, wise, diligent,
clever, good-willed and Noble. One shall stick
to them, as the moon it's regular path.

Dhammapada 208


___________________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way


XVI


Attractions - Vagga



-----------


HANKERING

Absorbed in distractions,
not paying appropriate attention,
giving up the goal, following the pleasant,
one come to envy those, who exert right effort !

Dhammapada 209

-----------


LINK2PAIN

Do not remain joined merely with what & whom you like,
neither with what & whom you dislike, since both the
inevitable separation with what is liked and the likewise
inevitable company with the disliked, is a link to pain.

Dhammapada 210

-----------


UNBOUND

Consequently; Hold nothing dear nor pleasant.
Separation from the dear & pleasing is painful.
For those for whom there are:
neither any dear nor any not dear;
neither any pleasant nor any not pleasant;
no such snaring ties can possibly exist ... !!!

Dhammapada 211


-----------


LOSS

From affection springs sorrow (over loss).
From affection grows fear (of loss)
Wholly free from affection, there can be
no such sorrow, much less fear.

Dhammapada 212


-----------


CAUSE

From thought of the attractive arises frustration.
From thought of the attractive arises fear.
The one wholly freed from attractive thoughts,
neither frustrates nor fears.

Dhammapada 213


-----------


INEVITABLE

From lust springs grief,
From lust springs fear,
Free from lust one neither
sorrows nor fears.

Dhammapada 214


-----------


HOT

From love comes sadness,
From love comes fear,
Freed from love one is untouched
by sadness, much less by fear.


Dhammapada 215


-----------


HOOKED

From desire follows pain,
From desire follows fear,
Freed from desire, there exist
neither pain nor any fear...

Dhammapada 216


-----------


BLAZING MOON

The one perfected in moral & insight,
faithfully founded in Dhamma,
fulfilling the duty, knowing the truths,
such one is beloved by the many.

Dhammapada 217


-----------


TRAVELER

If one longs for the indescribable, undefined
& uncreated state, with urge for sensing all extinct,
then one is called "Up-stream Traveler".

Dhammapada 218

-----------


RETURN

The friend who returns from a long journey
is welcomed back by friends & family.
Even & exactly so when the doer of good at
death passes to the next state, there his merits
receives him & awaits him, like good friends & family.

Dhammapada 219-20



_____________________________________________________________



Dhammapada - the True Way


XVII


Anger - Kodha Vagga



-----------


COOLED

One should cool any anger,
let go of any pride and
leave behind all attachments.
The cooled one, not clinging neither
to identity, body, form nor world
never suffers any pain.

Dhammapada 221

-----------


CONTROL

Whoever do not loose his temper,
even in a rage, like a car pressed in a
high speed turn, him I call 'a Driver',
others are merely holders of the wheel.

Dhammapada 222

-----------


TOOLS

One can only overcome anger with kindness.
One can only conquer evil with good.
One can only win the miser by giving gifts.
One can only convince the liar with truth.

Dhammapada 223


-----------


DIVINE3

If one speak the truth,
is not angry and gives
when asked, even when
one have little, one may
win a divine state.

Dhammapada 224


-----------


FINAL BLISS

The homeless sages, always restrained
in both action & body, finally pass to the
deathless state, where sorrow is not.

Dhammapada 225

-----------


ENTHUSIASM

Those who are always aware & awake;
Training day & night, intent only on Nibbana,
their mental fermentations evaporate.

Dhammapada 226


-----------


BLAME

This, Atula, is an ancient saying,
yet timeless & so relevant even today:
"They blame the silent one,
They blame the one who says much,
They blame the one who says little,
No one in this world are not blamed."


Dhammapada 227


-----------


FACT

There never was, nor will there ever be,
neither do there now exist one, who is
only praised or only blamed ....

Dhammapada 228


-----------


PRAISED

The one examined carefully by the wise,
yet still praised as peerless, wise, learned
and good, like a ring of refined gold, who
may blame such one ? Even the divine and
Brahma praise such one.

Dhammapada 229-30


-----------


EXCHANGE

Angry doings should be avoided by:
being in control of body, by being in control of action.
Having so tamed and left all bad & evil action all behind,
one should then cultivate all good deeds of any kind.

Dhammapada 231

-----------


EXPRESSION

Angry speech should be avoided, by being in
control of word & tongue. Having so cut and
left all angry & evil speech behind, one should
cultivate all good & kind speech of any kind.

Dhammapada 232


-----------


FIRE

Angry thought should be avoided by being
in control of thought, mind & mood.
Having so cut and left all mental anger all behind,
one should cultivate the friendly & harmless mind.

(The joy of release of mind by universal friendliness =
is called metta-ceto-vimutti, a state sweet & sublime!)

Dhammapada 233

-----------


MASTERS

The clever who master their action.
The wise who master their speech.
The intelligent who master their thought.
Such ones are indeed well controlled.

Dhammapada 234


___________________________________________________________

Dhammapada - the True Way


XVIII


Impurity - Mala Vagga



-----------


DEPARTURE

Now, old, you are as a withered leaf.
Death & his slaves are waiting upon you.
So now even at the point of departure you
have no provision for the journey.

Dhammapada 235

-----------


ISLAND

Make an island of yourself,
haste to exert effort, be clever.
When your mental defilements
have been cleaned & you have
cleared yourself of passion, then
yours will be the divine state of
exquisite choice.
Dhammapada 236

-----------


CLOSING

The end is now ever coming closer.
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