Verses of the Dhammapada (Dhp. 1)

Sutta Friends (Dhp. 1: Pairs (6-20); Dhr. Seven, Crystal Q. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

A new translation of The Dhammapada (Gil Fronsdal)

So much potential as "Buddha Boy," now Ram Bahadur Bomjon is sunk in controversy.

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Could Buddha Boy become a buddha?

6. People who quarrel do not realize that one day through these quarrels they will die, but those who do realize this fact [quickly] settle their quarrels.

7. Whoever lives focused on the pleasant nature of things, with sense faculties unguarded, immoderate in eating, lazy and sluggish, will be overpowered by Māra (Death), just as a storm throws down a weak [and stiff] tree.

8. Whoever lives focused on the unpleasant nature of things, with their sense faculties guarded, moderate in eating, faithful and diligent, will not be overpowered by Māra, just as a storm cannot shake a mountain of rock.

9. Whoever is defiled, devoid of self-control, devoid of truthfulness yet wears the monastic robe is surely unworthy of such a robe.

10. Whoever has removed defilements, is well established in virtue, is filled with self-control, is filled with truthfulness is indeed worthy of such a robe.

Knowing-and-seeing is best.

11. In the world there are unbeneficial things. Some mistake these unbeneficial things for beneficial ones. They also mistake beneficial things -- such as developing virtue, stillness (concentration), and wisdom -- for unbeneficial ones. They are enveloped in wrong thoughts. They never reach what is beneficial.

12. Based on right view some people think right thoughts. These wise ones know beneficial things -- such as developing virtue, stillness, and wisdom -- to be beneficial. They also know unbeneficial things to be unbeneficial. That is why they reach the most beneficial, nirvana.

13. Just as rain breaks through a poorly thatched house, lust penetrates the mind that has not been developed by calm-and-insight meditation.

14. Just as rain does not break through a well thatched house, lust fails to penetrate a mind that has been well developed by calm-and-insight meditation.

15. The wrongdoer grieves in this life and in the next, grieves in both worlds, cries and is afflicted, seeing one's own defiled deeds.

16. The maker of merit rejoices in this life and the next, rejoices in both worlds, rejoices and is delighted, seeing one's own pure actions.

17. The wrongdoer feels regret in this life and in the next, feels regret in both worlds, is remorseful knowing, “I have done harm.” One is even more remorseful once reborn on a plane of misery.

18. The maker of merit is delighted in this life and in the next, is delighted in both worlds, is delighted in knowing, “I have made merit.” One is delighted even more once one is reborn on a [fortunate plane].

19. Even though a negligent person preaches much Dharma (Truth) to others, one does not practice accordingly. That person is like a cowherd who counts only the cows of others. That person does not attain the stages of enlightenment as a monastic.

20. Even if a person practicing the Dharma preaches little to others, one lives according to the Dharma. With developed knowledge and a well-freed mind, one abandons passion, aversion, and wrong view (greed, hatred, and delusion). Not clinging to anything in this world or the next, one attains the stages of enlightenment as a monastic.

Well said, well said, well said! (Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu!) WQ translation based on Dhp. 1 Yamaka Vagga: Pairs (1-20) – suttafriends.org