Chapter I: Twin Pairs - Yamaka
ORIGIN
Mind always comes first
Mind is of all states the primer
By mentality are all things initiated
By thought of mind are all phenomena formed
So - if with good intention one thinks, speaks or acts
Joy surely follows one like the never-leaving shadow
However!!!
- if with evil intention one thinks, speaks or acts
Pain certainly follows one like the wheel follows the car.
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BURNING with BLAMING
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 their 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.
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DRIFTING
Whoever lives in search & urge for pleasure & beauty,
unguarded in senses, immoderately indulging,
lazy, lethargic, inactive, dulled into apathy;
Such ones Mara sweeps away like breaking a
branch of a tiny bush ...
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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 actions.
Dhammapada Illustration 15 Background Story 15DOING 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.
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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:
"Oh I have done bad actions of evil nature" he suffers
the pain of the worlds of only suffering even more ...
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REJOICING
Here he rejoices. So too after death he rejoices.
The one having done good works rejoices both places!
Remembering, looking back, seeing & thinking:
"Oh I have done good works, well done" he enjoys
the bliss of the happy worlds even more ...
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PRACTICAL
Even when a novice does not recite the Holy Scriptures,
and neither writes nor speaks much sense, if always living
and actually acting according to this Dhamma such one
certainly enjoys the whole of the Noble life ...
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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.
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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 safe no flood nor fever can ever overwhelm.
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Chapter III: Mind - Citta
JUMPING MONKEY
This flickering, fleeting and fickle mind,
difficult to guard, hard to control are thoughts,
the clever one therefore makes the mind straight
and stable just as a Fletcher line up an uneven
arrow shaft.
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SHAKING THE CHAIN
Like a fish hauled on land is flopping, exactly so does the mind
tremble when forced out of Mara's field of lusty fever.
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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.
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GUARDING
Thoughts are of a exceedingly subtle nature,
hard to see, invisible, untouchable, momentary,
emerging & jumping when & wherever they like!
The clever one therefore observes and guards these
ever changing thoughts. Guarded thoughts brings
happiness ...!!!
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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.
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STEADYING
The one whose mind is not steady,
who does not know what is true Dhamma,
whose faith wavers - such one never
attains perfected Insight.
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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 ...
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KNOWING TIME
Knowing this body to be 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
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THE ALTAR OF THE TEMPLE
Soon this body will fall to the ground,
rejected, without any consciousness,
useless like a rotten log of wood ...
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MAKER OF CATASTROPHES
Whatever an enemy may do to an enemy, or
whatever a hater might to another blinded by hate,
one's own mind wrongly directed by false or evil view,
can indeed do to oneself, yet even far much worse! Dhammapada Illustration 42 Background Story 42
WONDER
Neither mother nor father, nor any other family member
can do you any better, than a well directed mind.
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Chapter IV: Flowers - Puppha
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 plucks delicate flowers? Who?
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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.
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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 ...
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SURPRISE
Death carries off the man while distracted
by gathering flowers of sensual pleasures,
exactly & even so as a great flood carries
away a sleeping village.
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OFF GUARD
Death sweeps away the man distracted,
not yet had his fill of sensual pleasures,
even as he gathers these flowers.
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SWEET & SILENT
Harmless to the flower, its scent and color
the bee gathers its honey. Even & exactly so
does the wandering Bhikkhu gain village alms.
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WRONG versus RIGHT ATTENTION
What others do, did, or left undone is irrelevant!
Do not search after their faults, but rather look
carefully upon own flaws and for what you yourself
do, did or left undone...
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SPILLED MILK
As the flower, which is beautiful in color, but lacking scent,
even & exactly so is the well spoken true word upon one,
who neither reflects, nor acts upon it
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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 acts accordingly.
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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.
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THE FAIRY FIELD
The scent of flowers does not diffuse against the wind,
whether it is of jasmine or incense of sandalwood.
The fragrance of good deed does however waft against the wind.
The kindness of the good & pure perfumes all directions with
this perfume of pure goodness.
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UNDEFILED
Above and beyond all varieties of perfume,
whether of rose, of sandalwood or of lotus,
the fragrance of a virtuous moral stands supreme.
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TRANSCENDING
Weak is the smell of rose, jasmine and any orchid
when compared to the virtuous men, which excels
even among the divine.
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INVISIBLE
Those who are possessed of moral,
living alert and aware, who are freed though
perfected Insight cannot never ever be found
by Mara
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THE LIGHT IN THE DARK
Even in a heap of rubbish dumped on the road,
may the lotus grow, with this sublime fragrance
delighting the mind.
Even & exactly so, may the Noble Disciple of the
Awakened Ones shine forth his wisdom among the
blinded mess of simple people
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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, and how much less then
any stable wealth ?
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DISCOVERING THE TREASURE
The fool, who recognizes his own foolishness,
thereby becomes wise. But the simpleton, who
deceives himself to be a wise one, is verily a fool.
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BLOCKED OR OPEN
Even when the fool follows the wise lifelong,
he cannot understand the truth just as the spoon
cannot taste the soup..
However, when the intelligent even for few moments
listen to the wise, he grasps the truth as the tongue
immediately taste the soup.
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ONE'S OWN ENEMY
The worst enemy of the simple fool is himself!
This his self commit the doings from which he
reaps the result of bitter pain.
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BITTER FRUIT
That action which one regrets is not good
Experiencing the result of such ill deed, one
later weeps with a tearful face.
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SWEET FRUIT
That action, which one does not regret, is good.
Experiencing the result of such beneficial deed,
one is pleased and happy.
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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.
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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.
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PUFFED PRIDE + POWER = POISON
Puffing up his pride, ambition for power 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 ..."
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THE NOBLE WAY IS FOR NIBBANA, NOTHING ELSE!
One way is to gain name and fame.
Quite another is the way to Nibbana!
Seeing this, let the Bhikkhu, the true disciple
of the Buddha, reject both name, fame and gain,
seeking only the comfort & bliss of solitary seclusion.
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Chapter VI: The Wise - Pandita
HIDDEN TREASURE
One should follow the one giving intelligent critique,
since he is revealing a hidden treasure. For all those
following such wise one, it all grows better not worse.
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LIKED & HATED
The one who advises, instructs and restrain others
from all improper behavior becomes loved by the good,
while hated by the bad & foolish.
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ADVANTAGEOUS COMPANY
Avoid going along with wrong doers.
Do not associate with fools. Rather
accompany the Good and cultivate
friendship with the Wise & Noble.
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CLEARED CALM
The one who drinks Dhamma sleeps at ease,
calmed & cleared. The intelligent ones enjoys
the delight of the Teaching of the Noble
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STILLED
Canal makers direct the water.
Arrow makers straighten their shafts.
Carpenters plane their pieces of wood.
But The Wise & Noble tame their Mind.
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UNSHAKEABLE
Just as a solid mountain rock is not moved by any storm,
even so is the wise unshaken whether praised or blamed.
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DEEP CALM
Even as the deep lake is still & clear
even & exactly so does hearing the Dhamma
calm the wise.
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INVARIABLE
The clever let go of all,
withdrawing silently and still,
such wise ones whether touched
by success or sorrow remains unstirred
unperturbed and all the same.
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CLEAN
Neither for oneself nor for another
should one wish for sons, wealth or estate
gained by unfair means. Only so does one
remain upright, straight, virtuous and righteous.
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RARE
Few indeed are those who reach the other shore.
Most merely run to & fro along this bank ...
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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
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SUPREME STEP
Leaving the Dark, adopting the Light state,
the clever one leaves home for the homeless state.
The joy of solitary seclusion is otherwise hard to find.
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PURGED
There they seek the great delight
of being attached to nothing.
Freed from all urge of any sensing,
the wise purge his mind of all impurity.
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ENLIGHTENED
Those whose minds have been well developed & perfected
by the seven links to Enlightenment, the seven wings to Awakening;
Who are without even any trace of Clinging;
Lacking all mental Fermentation, shining radiant
quite bright & clear, verily, these Wise have gained
Nibbana even when still in this very world.
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Chapter VII: The Arahat - Arahanta
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 ever Possible!
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DETACHED
Those who are aware will not to cling to any house.
Home after home they leave, like swans that take
off from many various lakes.
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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 & signless void;
Verily, they leave no trace, even as a bird fly through air.
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UNCONTAMINATED
The one cleared of all mental fermentation;
who is independent of all 4 nutriments;
whose abiding is the unconditioned & void release,
is untraceable, just like a bird in the air.
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COOLED
One whose senses have been guarded & calmed,
like horses well tamed by the trainer, whose pride,
conceit & mental fermentation are all uprooted,
Even the Divine Devas love such one.
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BALANCED
Like the Earth, the Noble shows no resentment.
Like the deep dug pillar, firm in vows, pious & pure.
Like the pool clear & cool, free from mud.
Such one has ended this round.
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Thera Sariputta in memoriam
The Captain of the Faith...
The General of the Dhamma!
CALM
Calm is his mind.
Calm is his speech.
Calm is his action.
So is the Tranquility;
So is the Equanimity;
of one freed by the Insight of absolute knowledge.
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EATING FUTURE
The one who does 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!
- A Courageous Conqueror ...
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RADIANT EXCELLENCE ...
Whether in the village or the forest, on land, at sea or on the mountain:
Wherever Arahats dwell all is indeed beautiful, subtle and refined.
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SOLITARY
Delighting are the forests, where the passionate common folks do not haunt their banal pleasures!
There the cooled ones find the Bliss not of this World.
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Comments: Look before you leap.
Think before you speak.
ULTRA-CUT
Even a thousand sentences can be meaningless..
Better is a single releasing word!
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POINTING OUT
Even reciting a hundred verses made of words of no meaning.
Better is a single word of Dhamma, whereby one awakens.
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CONQUEROR
Even after having defeated a million men,
one is better off by conquering oneself.
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VICTORY
Victory over oneself is superior to victory over others!
Since by winning self-control you are forever in power!
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UNDEFEATABLE
Neither a God, Demon, Devil nor Brahma
can undo the victory of one who has won
self-control ....
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CLEVER INVESTMENT
Even though a man, day after day, month after month, for a century
donates a 1000$ to a charity, he better honour even for a single moment
a Noble, who have trained himself.
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IRRELEVANT & FOLLY PRAXIS
Though a man, day after day, should burn a sacrifice,
bathe ceremoniously or do whatever ritual he better
honor even for a single instant the Noble disciple of
the Buddha, who is well-trained, & well-restrained ...
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EMPTY RITUAL
Whatsoever daily offer, sacrifice or oblation made even for year,
the resulting merit is not worth a quarter of reverence for those
straight, upright and righteous.
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REGULAR REVERENCE PAYS OFF ..
For one in the habit of honouring the Elder Theras
with joined palms these 4 things increase:
Age, Beauty, Happiness & Power!
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Chapter IX Evil - Pâpa
INSTANTLY
Act NOW on the instant, hasting to do the good.
While delaying the advantageous action,
the mind slides back & down towards evil.
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NO REPEATS
Should one do bad, one should avoid repeating it again & again,
by denying mind any satisfaction therein, since the accumulation
of ill habit brings great misery.
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SYNERGY
Should one do good, then one should strive to repeat it again & again,
by longing after the advantageous merit therein, since the accumulation
of good habit brings great, radiant and prolonged bliss.
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ROTTEN FRUIT
Even as long as the results of bad action has not yet matured,
the wrong doer may live in luck. However, when the bitter fruit
of evil action falls, the wrong doer experiences only pain.
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SWEET FRUIT
Even as long as the results of good action has not yet ripened,
the good doer may live in vain. However, when the sweet fruit of
good action arises, the good doer experiences only happiness.
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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.
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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 beneficial doings.
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WISE AVOIDANCE
As a merchant carrying wealth avoids a route with bandits
and as a loving life avoids poisonous food, even & exactly so
should one avoid all bad, low, lousy, wrong & evil behaviour.
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PROTECTIVE INNOCENCE
The hand that has no wound, can handle any poison,
since poison cannot enter an intact unwounded hand.
Even & exactly so is the innocent protected from all evil.
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NEMESIS
Whoever harms the harmless and innocent beings,
upon such evil fool pain promptly returns just as dust
thrown against the wind.
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DESTINATIONS
Some return as humans. The evil-doers fall into the Hells.
The good-doers re-arise among the Divine.
The Arahats gain Nibbana.
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INEVITABLE ECHO
Neither in the most distant & remote part of space,
nor under the deepest floor of any ocean, nor hiding
in the darkest black of any cave, can anyone escape
the inevitable painful consequences of own evil behaviour...
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END-MAKER
Neither in the distant space, nor in the deepest ocean,
nor in the darkest cave, can anyone escape the crushing
fact of Death ...!!!
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Chapter X Violence - Danda
ULTIMATE WRONG
All sentient beings feel pain from violence...
All sentient beings fear death in panic!
Seeing other beings are like oneself;
Treating other beings like oneself;
One should never ever harm or kill ...
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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 or kill ...
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LOSS
Whoever injures, with weapon or stick, beings
searching for their happiness - when after death -
seeking some happiness, such fool never finds it!
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GAIN
Whoever never injures, neither with weapon nor stick,
beings searching for their happiness - when after death -
seeking same happiness, such gentle one always gains it!
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BOOMERANG
Do not ever speak harsh & angry words.
Such is always retaliated with angry talk.
Painful indeed is arrogant speech.
The inevitable retaliation invariably falls
back on such proud boaster.
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SILENCED
If silent as a broken bell,
such one is close to Nibbana,
and far away from arrogance.
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DRIVEN
Exactly as a cowherd drives the cows forward,
even & exactly so do aging, sickness & death
drive all beings forwards towards the End.
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BURNT
When doing evil the fool does not recognize the bad as wrong.
Afterwards such simpleton is burnt, as with a fire lit by himself.
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10 CONSEQUENCES OF ILL ACTION
Whoever is violent against the harmless;
Whoever offends the innocent;
Such fool quite quickly experiences one of these 10 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 & right after death,
he re-arise in the painful worlds or the niraya hells ...
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FUTILITY
Neither by nakedness, nor matted hair, nor by filth,
nor fasting, nor by sleeping on bare ground, nor by ashes,
dust or awkward positions of the body, can any mortal
being who is in doubt, purify his mind.
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ADORNED
Although a man is richly dressed and adorned,
if he is at peace, at ease, in equanimity, calmed,
composed, controlled, celibate and harmless,
then verily he is a Brahman, a recluse, a Bhikkhu ...
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The FAST Lane PROGRESSOR!
Is there a human here so controlled by modesty,
that critique is taken as the horse takes the whip:
By increasing speed by increasing effort?
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FINAL JOB
Using the tools of conviction, morality, effort, determination,
meditation and true understanding of this Dhamma,
one gradually perfect first knowledge, then behavior.
So equipped & aware one may eliminate all of this
great suffering once and for all ...
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PURSUITS
Truly canal makers lead the water.
Arrow makers straighten the shafts.
And Carpenters plane the wood.
But the Noble Ones refine their mind.
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Chapter XI Aging - Jâra
INAPPROPRIATE
Why laugh? Why party? Always is this world burning!
In such darkness, why don't you seek the light?
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THE BODY
See this painted puppet, one big mass of sores,
a diseased frame of skin drawn upon bones,
often possessing many evil thoughts,
much adored & beloved, yet it is neither
stable, nor lasting, but always decaying ...
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ONLY a filthy FRAME ...
Any body will inevitably crumble, only a fragile form,
a nest of disease, just a rotting mass of deception,
since its life surely always ends in Decay and Death ...
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Bare BONES
Like withered leaves scattered by the autumn wind are these
pale ashen bones. What happiness can there ever be in them?
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"MY" BODY = BAG of BONES ...
It is a bag held up by bones, plastered with skin, full of blood,
slime, snot and flesh. In it lives only aging, sickness, death,
puffed up pride and self-deceit. Dhammapada 150
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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 teach this good, only to the good ...
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THE OX
The fool of sparse learning, grows old like an Ox;
His flesh increases, but his knowledge not ...
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CRAVING AS CREATOR
Through a countless number of painful rebirths have
I gone seeking the creator, the house-builder...
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 by having eliminated every trace of craving ...
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DRY POND WAITING ...
Those who neither live the Noble life,
nor in youth spare up to their own welfare as old,
wander about like herons in a dried out pond, like worn out tools,
wailing in vain about their past glory...
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Chapter XII Self - Atta
AWAKE & AWARE ...
If one regards oneself as precious, one should guard this life well:
Both in youth, in middle & old age, and during all the 3 watches of the night
one should remain awake and acutely aware.
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PROPER ORDER
First one should establish oneself in what is right.
Then from there, one can well instruct others.
Doing so, the clever one will not be criticized.
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SITTING
First one should make oneself, exactly 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 in only theory.
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SAVIOUR
One truly is the protector of oneself!
Who else can ever save or protect you?
With oneself well tamed, and well controlled
one gains a saviour otherwise very hard to find.
Dhammapada Illustration 160 Background Story 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 Illustration 161 Background Story 161
DOMINATED from INSIDE ...
The one whose inner evil has strangulated & consumed the whole of his mind,
like a creeper gradually overgrows & suffocates even the tallest tree,
is without compare his own worst enemy ..
Dhammapada Illustration 162 Background Story 162
ACIDIC ASYMMETRY ...
So easy and swift is it, to do what is wrong, evil, bad, and detrimental
both for oneself and for others. While doing a fine good, which is advantageous
both to oneself and for others, is quite difficult to do.
Dhammapada Illustration 163 Background Story 163
SELF-DESTRUCTIVE VIEW
The fool, who absorbed in false views reviles the Dhamma
of the Arahats, the Noble & the righteous, thereby sow &
later reap his own destruction.
Dhammapada Illustration 164 Background Story 164
NO OTHER
By self alone, is harm done.
By self alone, does one suffer from 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 Illustration 165 Background Story 165
GOOD-FOR-BOTH
Let no-one neglect own future benefit for the sake of another,
even if seemingly important. Focused on own good freedom,
one should study, practice & train towards that advantage.
Dhammapada Illustration 166 Background Story 166
Chapter XIII: World - Loka
INDULGING
One should neither live a low life,
nor a careless life, nor have false views,
nor be captivated by this world.
Dhammapada Illustration 167 Background Story 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 Illustration 168 Background Story 168+169
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 & the next to come.
Dhammapada Illustration 169 Background Story 168+169
UNSEEN even by DEATH ...
One regarding all worldly life exactly as lasting as a bursting bubble,
as illusive as a hallucination is forever unseen even by the King of Death.
Dhammapada Illustration 170 Background Story 170
EMPTY GLITTER...
Come & see this fake world as a painted postcard, wherein fools flounder
& helplessly sink, while the clever remains aloof & detached.
Dhammapada Illustration 171 Background Story 171
BRIGHT
The one, who was careless earlier, but not anymore,
illuminates this world shining just as bright,
as the full moon free from clouds..
Dhammapada Illustration 172 Background Story 172
CLEARED
The one who cover past mistakes with good doings,
such one indeed illuminates this world,
as the full moon freed from cloud.
Dhammapada Illustration 173 Background Story 173
FEW are FINE ...
Blinded is this world, few are those who can see.
Even fewer become divine, than birds escape the net.
Dhammapada Illustration 174 Background Story 174
QUITE ELEVATE & at EASE ...
Like swans traverse the sky, real men fly through space by their psychic powers.
The wise & resolute exits this world, after having conquered Mara & his army.
Dhammapada Illustration 175 Background Story 175
BAD UNLIMITED
There are those, who break the holy vows,
who speak false, deceive & pretend,
who thus cannot hope for a good future,
There is no evil such ones cannot do ... !
Dhammapada Illustration 176 Background Story 176
RIGHT PRAISING
The miser cannot go divine.
The fool cannot praise giving.
The clever though rejoicing in giving,
thereby wins bliss in a next higher world.
Dhammapada Illustration 177 Background Story 177
SOLE SUPREME SAFETY
In comparison with kingship over whole earth, in comparison with re-arising
in a divine dimension, even in comparison with supremacy over all worlds,
the fruit of entering the stream - Sotapatti Fruition - is the supreme excellence.
Dhammapada Illustration 178 Background Story 178
Chapter XIV: Awakened - Buddha
TRULY INFINITE ...
The One whose victory cannot ever be defeated by anyone or anything,
is so for ever unconquered. Such one is the Buddha: Unlimited in range,
infinite in powers, trace and trackless. How can one ever tempt, lure or
mislead such Noble One?
Dhammapada Illustration 179 Background Story 179+180
FEARLESS and UNLIMITED in RANGE ...
Lacking all urge, craving & clinging, nowhere searching, such is the Buddha.
Of infinite range, of unlimited power, trace & trackless.
By what will you scare or force such one?
Dhammapada Illustration 180 Background Story 179+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; for such Noble Ones
even the Divine Devas are longing.
Dhammapada Illustration 181 Background Story 181
EXQUISITE
Rare is it to obtain birth in this precious human state;
Hard is life of those prone to death;
Difficult it is just to get the possibility of hearing
this true Buddha-Dhamma;
Exquisite is the appearance of Buddhas.
Dhammapada Illustration 182 Background Story 182
6-WORD EXACT
Avoiding all Harm;
Doing only Good;
Purifying the Mind;
That is the Buddha-Dhamma!
Dhammapada Illustration 183 Background Story 183_184_185 TOLERANT
Patience is the highest praxis.
Nibbana is the supreme state.
So all Buddhas say.
The violent one, is not a Recluse.
The harmful one, is not a Bhikkhu.
Dhammapada Illustration 184 Background Story 183_184_185
SWEET and SIMPLE ...
Neither blaming, nor harming; Disciplined by the Dhamma-Vinaya code,
moderated in eating, secluded in dwelling, exertion in meditation:
This is the method of all the Buddhas ..
Dhammapada Illustration 185 Background Story 183_184_185
DUMMY DECOY
Not even a rain of money gives lasting satisfaction.
The clever knows that to be just a short-lived pleasure
always followed by frustration!
Dhammapada Illustration 186 Background Story 186+187
IRREVERSIBLE EASE ...
Not even with Divine Delight is the Wise One content.
The true Disciple of the Supremely Awakened One is
only appeased by the utter elimination of Craving.
Dhammapada Illustration 187 Background Story 186+187
SAFE
To mountains, forests, caves, temples, parks & tress
people run, when gravely scared. Such places - however -
cannot ever offer any secure safety nor any final escape.
Not by these are we freed from suffering ... However;
Whoever seeks the guaranteed safety in the 3 jewels:
The Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha;
Whoever clearly understands the 4 Noble Truths:
Suffering, Origin of, End of, and The Way to escape Suffering;
By this sure refuge only, by this very sole shelter,
final & absolute secure safety is found in freedom from all Suffering ...
Dhammapada Illustration 188-192 Background Story 188-192
NOBLE
It is not easy to find a man of Noble birth.
Such one is not born everywhere.
Wherever he is born, his family prospers.
Dhammapada Illustration 193 Background Story 193
DETACHED
Oh let us live happily! Freed from attachment,
ever free from longing, disentangled, released
among those, who are entangled, involved,
& always longing. Among those hoping and
longing, let us live free from all yearning.
Dhammapada Illustration 199 Background Story 197+198+199
NOTHING
Oh let us live happily! Having nothing at all!
Let us feed on Joy, just like the bright shining Devas.
Dhammapada Illustration 200 Background Story 200
WINNING EASE ;-)
The winner breeds haughty arrogance , while the loser lies down frustrated.
However: The One gone beyond both victory and defeat lives happily,
calmed in the peace of ease.
Dhammapada Illustration 201 Background Story 201
COOLED, STILLED and HAPPY :-) _/\_
There is no fire, like the fire of Lust. There is no evil, like the evil of Hate.
There is no suffering, like Samsaric Existence. There is no Bliss greater
than the Happiness of Absolute Peace: the supreme Tranquillity of Nibbāna...
Dhammapada Illustration 202 Background Story 202
The SOURCES of EXISTENCE ...
Hunger is the worst pain. The components of being: Form, Feeling, Perception,
mental Construction & Consciousness is the primary source of all this Suffering!
Knowing this subtle fact directly & fully is Nibbana - The sublime & supreme Bliss!
Dhammapada Illustration 203 Background Story 203
GREAT
Health is the greatest gain.
Contentment is the greatest treasure.
Confidence is the greatest company.
Nibbana is the greatest Bliss ...
Dhammapada Illustration 204 Background Story 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 Illustration 205 Background Story 205
NOBLE ADVANTAGE ...
Even just to see a Noble is advantageous.
To live with the Noble is quite pleasant.
Pleasing is it to be free from fools.
Dhammapada Illustration 206 Background Story 206+207+208
SIMPLETON REGRET ...
One regrets following fools for quite a while, since any company with simpletons
always brings much frustration just as contact with an evil enemy.
Otherwise pleasant & inspiring is company with the calmed ones,
just as a meeting with a senior relative.
Dhammapada Illustration 207 Background Story 206+207+208
TRACKING
One should follow those who are determined, tolerant, and enduring,
intelligent, wise, diligent, clever, good-willed and evidently Noble.
One shall stick to them as the moon remains in its regular orbit.
Dhammapada Illustration 208 Background Story 206+207+208
SURE LINK-2-PAIN ...
Do not cling in panic to what & whom you like, nor violently avoid any dislikes,
since both the inevitable separation with what is liked, and also the inevitable
contact with many dislikes, is a link to suffering.
Dhammapada Illustration 210 Background Story 209+210+211
UNBOUND
Consequently: Hold nothing dear or beloved!
Separation from the dear & delightful is painful.
For those for whom there are:
Neither any dear, nor any disliked;
Neither any pleasant, nor any unpleasant;
No such snaring ties can ever exist ... !!!
Dhammapada Illustration 211 Background Story 209+210+211
LOSS is INEVITABLE ...
From affection springs sorrow (from loss of the dear).
From affection grows fear (over loosing whatever is dear)..
Wholly freed from affection, there cannot ever come such sorrow
and much less any fear.
Dhammapada Illustration 212 Background Story 212
CAPTIVATING CAPTIVITY ...
From thinking on whatever is attractive arises frustration (over not possessing it).
From thought of whatever is appealing arises also fear (of not getting it, or losing it).
The one wholly freed from captivating, tempting and seductive thoughts is never ever
frustrated, nor ever in fear.
Dhammapada Illustration 213 Background Story 213
INEVITABLE CONSEQUENCE ...
From lust springs frustration, from lust arises fear..
Freed from all lust, one neither sorrows, nor fears!
Dhammapada Illustration 214 Background Story 214
TOO HOT to HANDLE ...
From love comes sadness. From love comes fear.
Freed from love one is untouched both by sadness and by fear.
Dhammapada Illustration 215 Background Story 215
HOOKED on HEDONISM ...
From lust follows pain, from desire follows fear.
Freed from desire there exist neither suffering, nor fear...
Dhammapada Illustration 216 Background Story 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 Illustration 217 Background Story 217
UP-STREAM TRAVELLER ...
If one longs for the undefined, unborn and uncreated state,
with all urge for sensing fully extinguished, then one is an "Up-Stream Traveller".
Dhammapada Illustration 218 Background Story 218
RAPTUROUS RETURN ...
A good friend returning from a journey is welcomed back by friends.
Even so when a good-doer is reborn, then his merits receive him like fine friends.
Dhammapada Illustration 219-20 Background Story 219+220
WELL DESERVED PRAISE ...
The one examined carefully by the wise, yet still praised as outstanding,
wise, learned and good, like refined gold, who can blame such one?
Even the divine Brahma praises such one...
Dhammapada Illustration 229-30 Background Story 227-230
EXCHANGE
Angry doings should be overcome by being in control of body,
and by being in control of behaviour. Having so tamed and left
all bad and evil action all behind, one should then cultivate good
deeds of any kind.
Dhammapada Illustration 231 Background Story 231-234
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 good & kind speech of any kind.
Dhammapada Illustration 232 Background Story 231-234
FIRE
Angry thought should be left by control over thought, mind & mood.
Having so cut and left all mental anger all behind,
one should cultivate the friendly & harmless mind.
Dhammapada Illustration 233 Background Story 231-234
MASTERS
The clever ones, who master their behaviour.
The wise ones, who master their speech.
The intelligent ones, who master their thinking
such ones are indeed well controlled.
Dhammapada Illustration 234 Background Story 231-234
SELF-INFLICTED-FUTURE-CORROSION!
When rust appears the iron is eaten away until collapse.
Even and exactly also with the wrong-doers, their behaviour
steadily corrodes their future by making it painful!
Dhammapada Illustration 240 Background Story 240
FOLLY FIASCO FAILURES
Not to learn the Dhamma is misguided education.
Neglect is a failure of the household life.
Laziness is a bad of the beauty.
Carelessness is a blame on those who guard.
Dhammapada Illustration 241 Background Story 241
THE REPROACHABLE ....
Lewd adultery is a blemish for any woman.
Niggardliness is a blame for any miser.
All evil ways are blamable, since they cause destruction
both here and in the next existence.
Dhammapada Illustration 242 Background Story 242_243
ROOT
The worst of all to be blamed is ignorance,
the blindness of not knowing. Clear yourself
of this blame, friends, and then remain blameless.
Dhammapada Illustration 243 Background Story 242_243
EASY
Easy is the shameless life now.
Easy is it to be bold, retaliating,
lazy, uninformed & wrong-viewed.
Dhammapada Illustration 244 Background Story 244_245
HARD
Difficult is the life of the humble now!
Difficult is it to ever seek only the pure,
to be detached, composed, restrained,
all blameless with vision cleared.
Dhammapada Illustration 245 Background Story 244_245
UNPROTECTED
The one who destroys life;
The one who speaks false;
The one who takes, what is not given;
The one who mates with the partner of another;
The one who is addicted to drinking & drugging;
Such one - even in this world - dig up his own root!!!
Dhammapada Illustration 246-47 Background Story 246-248
CLEVER
Not from speaking much, is one called clever.
The patient one, free from anger, free from fear,
only such calmed one, is called clever.
Dhammapada Illustration 258 Background Story 258
ACT ACCORDINGLY
Not from speaking much is one a knower of the Dhamma.
The one, yet having heard only little, but who acts accordingly,
thus demonstrating the real evidence of true understanding,
such one is a knower of the true Dhamma without controversy.
Dhammapada Illustration 259 Background Story 259
ELDER
One is not a Thera, just because one's hair is grey.
Though of many years standing, one may be old
only in body, but not yet matured in mind.
Dhammapada Illustration 260 Background Story 260+261
THERA
The one who abides by the essence of Dhamma,
is righteous, harmless, moderated & restrained,
who firmly have eliminated any trace of own flaws,
such one is verily an Elder, a Thera ...
Dhammapada Illustration 261 Background Story 260+261
OVERESTIMATION
Neither eloquent speech nor serene complexion
makes one accomplished, if one is still possessed
of envy, miserliness or deceit.
Dhammapada Illustration 262 Background Story 262+263
CLEARED
However the one cleared of these flaws,
who has uprooted hatred, who is intelligent,
such one may rightly be designated: "accomplished".
Dhammapada Illustration 263 Background Story 262+263
PRETENDING
Not only by shaving the head does one become a recluse!
If without morality, honesty and sincerity, how can one,
who is full of desire and greed ever truly be a recluse?Dhammapada Illustration 264 Background Story 264+265BHIKKHU
But he that overcomes all flaws,
both great and small, entirely and
completely, such one is verily a Bhikkhu.
Dhammapada Illustration 265 Background Story 264+265
RITUAL
Not merely from receiving alms is one a Bhikkhu.
The one attached to forms and rituals is not
truly to be regarded as a Bhikkhu.
Dhammapada Illustration 266 Background Story 266+267
BEYOND
Whoever drops both good and bad action,
lives celibate, walks through the world aware,
untouched and clever, such one is indeed a Bhikkhu.
Dhammapada Illustration 267 Background Story 266+267
WISE
Silence alone does not make the fool wise.
Digging up truth, rejecting all unbeneficial,
understanding both worlds, one is called
wise.
Dhammapada Illustration 268-69 Background Story 268+269
HARMLESS
The Noble is not one, who injures living beings.
The Noble is one, who never injures living beings.
Dhammapada Illustration 270 Background Story 270
UNPUFFED
Not merely from keeping precept,
nor through thorough learning,
nor by remote solitary lodging,
nor at attainment of calm does
one win the Bliss of Release,
which is unreachable by worldlings.
Bhikkhus, Friends, rest not self-content
until the fermentations are all destroyed.
Dhammapada Illustration 271-72 Background Story 271+272
YOUR WAY!
It is YOU! who must do the job.
The Buddhas only points out the way.
Those who enters this unidirectional way,
win by meditation release from Maras bondage.
Dhammapada Illustration 276 Background Story 273-276
INEVITABLE DECAY induces the NOBLE WAY!
Impermanent, momentary, and vanishing are all phenomena!
Whoever sees and understand this, becomes disgusted
with all this Suffering. This is the path to Purification!
Dhammapada Illustration 277 Background Story 277-279
STRESS
All elements of being; All phenomena existing;
Are connected with Suffering & Misery!
Whoever fully perceives this with Insight
straightaway develops immunity to suffering.
This is the way to pure freedom.
Dhammapada Illustration 278 Background Story 277-279
DIFFERENT & EMPTY
Lacking entity; Without a self; Empty;
Are all phenomena existing.
Whoever fully perceives this with Insight
straightaway develops immunity to suffering.
This is the way to pure freedom.
Dhammapada Illustration 279 Background Story 277-279
LAZY
The one not rising, when it is time to rise;
Who though young & strong, is weak in mind,
soft in will, lazy of nature, such good-for-nothing
one never finds the path to Insight.
Dhammapada Illustration 280 Background Story 280
3 ACTIVITIES
One should guard all actions whether mental, verbal or bodily.
When one have cleared and made pure these 3 doors of activity,
one have gained the path of the sages ...
Dhammapada Illustration 281 Background Story 281
GROWING OR LOOSING
From meditation wisdom grows.
From lack of meditation wisdom fades.
The one knowing this relation of growth and loss
should settle with solid determination on the
way to growth of wisdom by understanding.
Dhammapada Illustration 282 Background Story 282
FATAL SELF-ROMANCE
Cut off the love for yourself as you cut off the
stalk of a flower. Develop calm cool tranquility.
The happy ones have all pointed out this very
Way to Nibbana.
Dhammapada Illustration 285 Background Story 285
SURE DEATH
"So here I will stay & remain summer, and winter."
imagines the fool, unaware of his certain death.
Dhammapada Illustration 286 Background Story 286
ENGAGED-ENCAGED
When a man is in love with his sons, friends and family,
then his mind is passionately absorbed therein.
So distracted, the King of Death carry him off as a
raging torrent sweeps away the sleeping village.
Dhammapada Illustration 287 Background Story 287
LONGING
Sons, children, family cannot provide any refuge
nor shelter for anyone being prone to Death.
[Even though they live it is as if they exist not.
How much less can they provide any protection
nor safety against death?]
Dhammapada Illustration 288 Background Story 288-289
AWARE OF FACTS
The man who understands this inevitable death, if clever,
lives pure morally, while keenly clearing with great urge
his path to Nibbana.
Dhammapada Illustration 289 Background Story 288-289
Chapter XXI Various - Pakinnaka
RATIONAL EXCHANGE
If one gains a bigger pleasure by leaving a small pleasure,
the clever one should exchange the tremendous for the
trifling pleasure, by leaving the latter behind.
Dhammapada Illustration 290 Background Story 290
EGOISM
Whoever by seeking only own happiness causes another to suffer,
becomes entangled in aversion thereby and is never freed from
this poison of 'going against the harmony' when doing so.
Dhammapada Illustration 291 Background Story 291
WRONG PRIORITY
If one deliberately leave undone, what should be done,
while doing that, which should be left undone, then the
impurity of one's carelessness & arrogance off course
can only ever increase.
Dhammapada Illustration 292 Background Story 292+293
RIGHT DIRECTION
They who are devoted to meditation on the body,
who leave undone, what should not be done,
who diligently do, what should be done,
who by so paying rational & well directed attention,
will gradually clear themselves of all impurity.
Dhammapada Illustration 293 Background Story 292+293
METAPHORICAL-1:
Having killed the mother=craving, the father=conceit, and
the two kings=Eternity-belief and Annihilation-belief,
and having destroyed the kingdom=sense sources & objects,
together with its following associate=clinging & attachment,
the Best One=Arahat is released from all Pain=Dukkha. Dhammapada Illustration 294 Background Story 294+295METAPHORICAL-2 Having killed mother, father, the two brahmin kings and having
destroyed the hindrances of which the fifth is doubt is like
a dangerous journey, the Best One is freed from all Pain.Dhammapada Illustration 295 Background Story 294+295MEDITATION-1
Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake & quite aware. Constantly they
meditate both day & night on the Buddha.
Dhammapada Illustration 296 Background Story 296-301
MEDITATION-2
Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake & quite aware. Constantly they
meditate both day & night on the Dhamma.
Dhammapada Illustration 297 Background Story 296-301
MEDITATION-3
Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake & quite aware. Constantly they
meditate both day & night on the Sangha.
Dhammapada Illustration 298 Background Story 296-301
MEDITATION-4
Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake & quite aware. Constantly they
meditate both day & night on the Body.
Dhammapada Illustration 299 Background Story 296-301
MEDITATION-5
Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake & quite aware. Constantly they
meditate both day & night on Harmlessness.
Dhammapada Illustration 300 Background Story 296-301
MEDITATION-DELIGHT
Ever are the true disciples of the Buddha
well awake & quite aware. Constantly their
minds delight both day & night in meditation.
Dhammapada Illustration 301 Background Story 296-301
DIFFICULT
Hard is the monk life, difficult to enjoy.
Hard is the worldly life, stressed is the household.
Hard is company with those not in harmony.
Hard is the suffering inherent in the round of existence.
Therefore should one stop drifting along chained to these pains.
Dhammapada Illustration 302 Background Story 302
FAITH & RESULTS
Wherever the one with faith, fame, moral virtue, & wealth
rightly gained goes, there he is honored accordingly.
Dhammapada Illustration 303 Background Story 303
NON-LOCAL=GLOBAL=UNIVERSAL
Even from afar the good are manifested,
as the Himalayas are seen even long way off.
Those lacking goodness are not even recognized
right here, as arrows shot out in the dark are unseen.
Dhammapada Illustration 304 Background Story 304
ALONE
The one who sits solitary, lives solitary,
walks & trains solitary finds great delight
in the forest...
Dhammapada Illustration 305 Background Story 305
WRONG HANDLING
Even as grass wrongly handled can cut the hand,
even & exactly so can monk-hood, badly handled,
lead to Hell.
Dhammapada Illustration 311 Background Story 311-313
LAX & LOOSE
Being sloppy, corrupt in deed,
loose in chastity, cannot ever
bring any great fruit.
Dhammapada Illustration 312 Background Story 311-313
SCATTER OF DUST
Do whatever should be done with all you got.
The lax recluse merely scatters the dust.
Dhammapada Illustration 313 Background Story 311-313
BASICS
Let any evil be undone, since it surely brings only pain.
Do all & any good, since such certainly brings only bliss.
Dhammapada Illustration 314 Background Story 314
FATAL MOMENT
Even & exactly as a Fort is well guarded
both within & without, even so should
one guard oneself not letting even a single
moment slip by unnoticed. One who let even
short moments slip by off guard, may later
mourn & regret even in Hell ...
Dhammapada Illustration 315 Background Story 315
FRIEND
If one can find a companion, upright, straight & firm,
then walk along with him in joy & awareness,
so overcoming all danger.
Dhammapada Illustration 328 Background Story 328-330
SOLITUDE
If one cannot find a clever companion, upright, straight & firm,
then walk alone like a king leaving the kingdom, like an Elephant
freely roam in all the forest.
Dhammapada Illustration 329 Background Story 328-330
SOLITARY FREEDOM
Life in solitude is better than friendship with the fool.
Let the one live alone, acting only right, freed from greed,
like the Elephant freely roam in all the forest.
Dhammapada Illustration 330 Background Story 328-330
PLEASANT
Pleasant are friends, when a need arises.
Pleasant is all fun, when shared with friends.
Pleasant is the stored merit of good at the moment of death.
Pleasant is it to leave behind all Suffering.
Pleasant is being a Father.
Pleasant is being a Mother.
Pleasant is being a Bhikkhu.
Pleasant is the state of the accomplished.
Pleasant is a prior righteous life, when old.
Pleasant is faith, when firmly established, unshakable by doubt.
Pleasant is the arising of Insight.
Pleasant is the avoidance of all Evil.
Yeah!
Dhammapada Illustration 331-33 Background Story 331-333
JUMPING
In the one, who is careless & not paying attention, craving grows
just like a creeper! Then one jumps here & there, from life to life,
like a monkey in the forest, always searching for sweet fruit.
Dhammapada Illustration 334 Background Story 334-337
CULTIVATING PAIN
Whoever is overcome by this fierce craving, clinging to the world,
for such one the sorrows increase like watered grass grows high.
Dhammapada Illustration 335 Background Story 334-337
SHEDDING SORROW
Whoever overcomes this fierce craving, so hard to subdue,
from such one all sorrow detaches and falls away just like
water drops running off a lotus leaf.
Dhammapada Illustration 336 Background Story 334-337
DIG UP THE ROOT OF ILL
So this I say to all of you: Dig up this evil root of Craving,
like a potato. Let not Mara break & destroy you again & again
like a storm, which breaks the many fragile straws.
Dhammapada Illustration 337 Background Story 334-337
UPROOTING CRAVING
As a felled tree sprouts again if the root is uncut,
even & exactly so do this suffering return & grow
ever again & again, if this root of craving is not
completely cut, uprooted, crushed & eliminated .
Dhammapada Illustration 338 Background Story 338-343
CARRIED AWAY
The one in whom the 36 streams of craving
are forcefully running towards sensing pleasure:
Is misguided, is misdirected, is swept away by this lust.
Dhammapada Illustration 339 Background Story 338-343
PLEASURE, BIRTH, DECAY & DEATH
Flowing freely like greasy glue is the delight of beings.
Humans obsessed with this pleasure, always searching
a satisfaction not lasting, return to birth, decay, aging,
sickness and death ever again & again.
Dhammapada Illustration 341 Background Story 338-343
MISERY
Obsessed by craving do humans dart to & fro,
like a haunted hare. Bound by clinging in panic,
they undergo misery for exceedingly long periods.
Dhammapada Illustration 342 Background Story 338-343
THE HERO
Dominated by craving humans dart to & fro,
like a haunted hare. The Bhikkhu therefore
should eliminate all craving by working for
absence of any passion, any lust, any desire.
Dhammapada Illustration 343 Background Story 338-343
THE RENEGADE
Whoever in the forest find freedom from desire,
yet later returns to the household life, is still bound.
Look! Though freed, he is verily running back into
being entangled, in the very same net ...
Dhammapada Illustration 344 Background Story 344
BONDS
The wise knows that bonds made of iron, wood or rope
are far weaker than that, which bind beings by obsession
to empty luxury, glittering wealth, wives and sons.
Dhammapada Illustration 345 Background Story 345-346
CHAIN OF PLEASURE
That chain of pleasure is indeed mighty strong.
It drags down & is hard to loosen by those, who are weak.
Even this the Wise & Noble Friend cuts by leaving the world,
withdrawing from all sensual pleasures, without urge or longing.
Dhammapada Illustration 346 Background Story 345-346
CAUGHT IN OWN WEB
Infatuated with lust, impassioned & obsessed,
they are caught in their own self-created net,
like a spider, which spins it's own web.
Cutting through the Wise & Noble Friend go free,
Without longing, leaving all misery behind.
Dhammapada Illustration 347 Background Story 347
LETTING GO
Let the past be past.
Relinquish the future.
Accept the present, just as it is.
Having so gone to the far shore of being,
mind is freed from all attachments,
from any substrate of existence &
never returns to birth, aging nor death.
Dhammapada Illustration 348 Background Story 348
CHAINS
Any being, who becomes stirred by attraction,
who is agitated by desire & dominated by lust,
directs only mind towards objects of pleasure...
Thereby craving increases & the chains of this
prison grows ever stronger!
Dhammapada Illustration 349 Background Story 349-350
PRISON
Any being, who cools down, stall & still all desires by
being alert & ever aware of the inherent danger,
directing attention only to the disgusting aspects
of all phenomena, such one eliminate craving and
thereby cut the chains of this prison.
Dhammapada Illustration 350 Background Story 349-350
FEARLESS
The one who has reached the perfected level,
is fearless, free of craving, desireless & detached.
Such one has broken the hooks of being, and is in
the final phase, wearing the last form.
Dhammapada Illustration 351 Background Story 351-352
GREAT
The one who is freed of craving,
who is detached from any clinging &
who is skilled in language, words & letters,
such one is in the final form - a Great One -.
of Great Wisdom ...
Dhammapada Illustration 352 Background Story 351-352
WITHOUT A TEACHER
All have I overcome.
All do I know.
All conditions have I purified.
All states have I perfected.
All have I relinquished & left behind.
By so eliminating all craving, I was freed.
Having so gone beyond all human knowledge,
whom shall I call my teacher ?
Dhammapada Illustration 353 Background Story 353
THE SUPREME GIFT
The gift of Dhamma surpasses all other gifts.
The taste of Truth excels all other tastes.
The joy of Understanding exceeds all other joys.
The Elimination of craving overcomes & quenches
all ill, all pain, all sorrow, and all suffering ...
Dhammapada Illustration 354 Background Story 354
RICH RUIN!
Riches & wealth ruins the fool as they make him
ignore the seeking further towards the beyond.
By craving for further riches, the fool destroys himself
even & exactly as if he was destroying others.
Dhammapada Illustration 355 Background Story 355
WEEDS
Weeds ruin a field.
Greed ruins a human.
Therefore, alms given to beings
freed from greed, yield great fruit ...
Dhammapada Illustration 356 Background Story 356-359
WELL PLACED
Weeds ruin a field.
Anger ruins a human.
Therefore, alms given to beings
freed from anger, yield great fruit ...
Dhammapada Illustration 357 Background Story 356-359
NOT MISTY
Weeds ruin a field.
Delusion ruins a human.
Therefore, alms given to beings
freed from confusion, yield great fruit ...
Dhammapada Illustration 358 Background Story 356-359
COOLED
Weeds ruin a field.
Excessive desire ruins a human.
Therefore, alms given to beings
freed from the pull of attraction,
yield great fruit ...
Dhammapada Illustration 359 Background Story 356-359
Chapter XXV: The Bhikkhu
GUARDING THE DOORS
Control of the eye is advantageous.
Control of the ear is advantageous.
Control of the nose is advantageous.
Control of the tongue is advantageous.
Control of the body is advantageous.
Control of the speech is advantageous.
Control of the mind is excellent.
Controlled in all & every way is the optimal.
The Bhikkhu so controlled in every way &
Everywhere is all released from all misery.
Dhammapada Illustration 360-61 Background Story 360_361
FIRE (4x5)
Friend!
Cut off the fire. #
Leave behind the fire. &
Develop the fire. $
One who has extinguished the 5 fires %
has crossed the flood.
Dhammapada Illustration 370 Background Story 368-376
# five lower fetters
& five higher fetters
$ five mental abilities
% five bonds = desire, ill will, ignorance, pride and wrong view
CARELESS Meditate, monks, do not be careless ...
Do not give in to sensual pleasures.
Being careless is as if swallowing a
glowing metal ball, crying "This is pain'!
Dhammapada Illustration 371 Background Story 368-376
MUTUAL
No concentration is there for one lacking Insight.
No Insight is there for one lacking concentration.
The meditator, who with Insight into wisdom
abides calmed in trance, is in vicinity of Nibbana.
Dhammapada Illustration 372 Background Story 368-376
EMPTY HOUSE The Noble Friend, who retires to an empty house,
who has a calmed, stilled & peaceful mind,
who clearly & exactly sees the True Dhamma,
such one experiences a joy not of this world,
a bliss transcending the human ...
Dhammapada Illustration 373 Background Story 368-376
RISE & FALL
Comprehending the coming into being,
and the ceasing of being of the clusters
of clinging, one experiences a joy,
which leads to & is similar to the
Deathless State ...
Dhammapada Illustration 374 Background Story 368-376
BEGIN HERE
This is the proper way to begin for a clever monk:
Guard the Senses;
Be Content;
Keep the Precepts;
Cultivate only friends of pure livelihood,
of lovely moral & who are rightly striving.
Dhammapada Illustration 375 Background Story 368-376
SWEET END
Let us be ever cordial in mode,
while completely straight in behavior:
This makes the Joy emerge, that makes
an end of all Suffering ...
Dhammapada Illustration 376 Background Story 368-376
DROPPING
As the jasmin drops it's withered flowers,
even & exactly so, friends, should you cast
off all lust & hate.
Dhammapada Illustration 377 Background Story 377
COMPOSED
The one who is tranquil in movement, calm in speech,
stilled in thought, collected & composed, who sees right
through & rejects all allurements of this world, such one
is truly called a 'Peaceful One'.
Dhammapada Illustration 378 Background Story 378
AUTODIDACT
Urge, incite & teach yourself by yourself!
Examine & evaluate yourself by yourself!
Guard yourself, be aware of yourself, by yourself!
Bhikkhu & you will live in happiness ...
Dhammapada Illustration 379 Background Story 379-380
REFUGE
For self is the master of self.
For self is the protector of self.
For self is the savior of self.
Control therefore yourself by taming as one,
who just have bought a new wild horse.
Dhammapada Illustration 380 Background Story 379-380
JOY + EASE = PEACE
Full of Joy, content & satisfied, the Noble friend
with perfect confidence in the Teaching of the Buddha,
will reach the place of Peace, the unconditionally
unconditioned, ever same Happiness itself ...
Dhammapada Illustration 381 Background Story 381
EARLY ADVANTAGE
That Bhikkhu who devotes himself to the Teaching of the Buddha,
while still young, illuminates this entire World exactly as the
full moon cleared from all clouds ...
Dhammapada Illustration 382 Background Story 382
Chapter XXVI: The Best One – Brãhmana
CUT THROUGH
Cleave the stream using force & drive away any lust, Ooh Holy One.
By letting all constructions cease, you will know the uncreated.
Dhammapada Illustration 383 Background Story 383
TWO-STATE
When the Holy One is beyond the two states of - Calm & Insight -,
all fetters will fall of him, since then he is one who knows ...
Dhammapada Illustration 384 Background Story 384
DISCONNECTED
For whom there is neither this shore,
nor any other shore, nor both, nor any in between,
nor any beyond, nor below or above, such one,
indescribable, indefinable, disconnected & detached,
is indeed a Holy One, is the best one.
Dhammapada Illustration 385 Background Story 385
TRIPLE GOOD
The One who neither harms any
verbally, physically or mentally,
who are moderated & controlled
in these three ways, such one
is called a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 391 Background Story 391
WORTHY SOURCE
Him from whom one can learn this True Dhamma,
worship him, respect him, honor him, and help him
as a Brahmin tend the ritual fire.
Dhammapada Illustration 392 Background Story 392
WHAT IT TAKES
It is not because of matted hair,
nor by lineage, family or birth,
one becomes a Holy One.
Only endowed with true understanding,
and purity of behaviour is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 393 Background Story 393
EXTERNAL
What is the use of your matted hair vain fool?
What is the use of your fine antelope skin?
There is still a jungle of evil mental dirt within you!
It is only the surface you polish, clean & show!
Dhammapada Illustration 394 Background Story 394
SUCH ONE
The One wearing only 3 robes,
who is thin with veins showing,
who meditates alone in the forest,
such one is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 395 Background Story 395
NOT SUCH ONE
Him born from Brahmin womb,
having a Brahmin mother,
possessing empty things,
repeating empty mantras,
is Not a Holy One.
The One possessing Nothing,
seeking Nothing, such one
I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 396 Background Story 396
UNCHAINED
The one who has cut all attachments,
who neither fears, nor trembles,
who is unbound, untied, & unchained,
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 397 Background Story 397
DISENTANGLED
Whoever has cut the strap, the rope and all their threads,
the one who have uplifted the heavy crossbar,
such awakened one, him I call Holy.
Dhammapada Illustration 398 Background Story 398
TOLERANCE
The innocent one, who has done nothing wrong,
who patiently endures abuse, flogging & even
imprisonment, such one armed with endurance,
the great force of tolerance, such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 399 Background Story 399
VOW
The one without any anger,
who have taken up beneficial vows,
who is freed from lust,
who has tamed both body & mind,
who is in the last stage, in his final form,
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 400 Background Story 400
AS WATER RUN OF LEAF
The one who detach from sense pleasures,
exactly as a drop of water run off a lotus leaf,exactly as the dry grain falls from the straw,
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 401 Background Story 401
FINAL JOB ENDED
The one who directly experiences the end of pain,
who have verily done the job, who is freed from all
craving & clinging, such one I call a Holy One ...
Dhammapada Illustration 402 Background Story 402
DEEP
The one possessing profound Insight,
who is endowed with deep knowledge & sharp intelligence,
who knows what is the Way and what is not the Way,
who have reached the supreme and sublime goal,
such one is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 403 Background Story 403
HOMELESS
The one who keeps aloof from company with both
householders & homeless, who wanders without home,
desiring little, him I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 404 Background Story 404
HARMLESS
The one who has left all violence,
who never harms any being at all,
whether they are moving or still,
who neither kill, nor causes to kill,
such one, harmless, is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 405 Background Story 405
DIFFERENT
The one who is friendly, among the hostile,
who is harmless, among the violent,
who is detached, among the greedy,
such one is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 406 Background Story 406
CURED
The one, who has shredded both lust, hate &
pride as the fallen seed, which never again
returns to the straw, such one is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 407 Background Story 407
SWEET VOICED
The one who never speaks harshly,
who always speaks kind words which
yet are exact, informative & instructive.
The one who offends no one, such one,
- truly sweet-voiced - is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 408 Background Story 408
NEVER-TAKE
The one, who never takes, what is not freely & openly given,
whether long or short, fine or foul, exquisite or ordinary,
such one is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 409 Background Story 409
NEVER-WANT
Whoever is free from desire for everything
in both this & all other worlds. Freed from lust
is freed from fetter, such one is a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 410 Background Story 410
DEATHLESS
The one who has no longings,
who fully understands,
who is without doubt,
who is established and all immersed
in the stilled deathless state,
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 411 Background Story 411
SORROWLESSThe one who has passed over and
all beyond both good & evil,
who is happy, free & pure,
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 412 Background Story 412
MOON
The one who is spotless as the moon,
who is pure, serene, calm and clear,
who has exhausted the joy of existence,
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 413 Background Story 413
SWAMP
The one who has crossed the swamp
of delusion and rebirth so difficult to pass,
who has gained the other & far shore, all beyond
who is absorbed in meditation, calmed,
who is freed from lust, doubt & all craving
who has cut all clinging, Nibbana gone
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 414 Background Story 414
COOLED
The one who withdraw from pleasures,
who wander homeless, retired, withdrawn
with the essence of lust extinguished,
with the essence of existence extinguished,
such one I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 415 Background Story 415
SEER
The one who knows, who sees,
the passing away & reappearance of all beings,
who is detached, released, happy & enlightened,
him I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 419 Background Story 419-420
UNSEEN
The one whose future state is quite unknown,
to both gods, demons and humans,
whose mental fermentation are stilled,
an Arahat, him I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 420 Background Story 419-420
DETACHED
The one who are disconnected from both
the present, the past and the future,
possessing nothing, urging nothing,
neither here, there, in front nor behind,
him I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 421 Background Story 421
NOBLE
The Noble one, the eminent, the excellent one,
The outstanding hero, the wise conqueror,
pure, clean, awakened and enlightened,
him I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 422 Background Story 422
PERFECTED
The one who knows his previous lives,
who sees & visits the realms of heaven & hell,
who has reached the final end of birth,
a recluse perfected in knowledge,
who are perfected in all the perfections,
him I call a Holy One.
Dhammapada Illustration 423 Background Story 423
Dhammapada Versions used:
PTS 1995 E.W. Burlingame, Dhammapada Commentary,
Buddhist Legends, Original Harvard Oriental Series.
PTS 1931 Mrs. Rhys Davis, Pali & English.
PTS 1997 KR Norman, English & notes.
PTS 1995 O.v.Hinuber & K.R. Norman, Pali & notes.
Taiwan 1963, Narada Thera, Pali, English & notes. Burma Pitaka Association, Rangoon, Daw Mya Tin, M.A., Burma 1986.
Comments:
The rendering has focused on preserving meaning,
as that is what enables understanding. The resulting
Insight is what changes behavior. Which is the goal.
Style, rhyme, form, literacy & poetic considerations
have been given a priority, accordingly.END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).WORLD VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ORDER=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=THE EIGHTFOLD PATH.THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTMENT.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.1/10/2014.
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