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A Mid-South Collective
dedicated to the practice of meditation and the teachings of the Buddha.
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Mind is the forerunner of (all evil) states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with wicked mind, suffering follows one, even as the wheel follows the hoof of the draught-ox. Mind is the forerunner of (all good) states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If one speaks or acts with pure mind, AFFECTION follows one, even as one's shadow that never leaves.
``He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,'' in those who harbour such thoughts hatred is not appeased. ``He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,'' in those who do not harbour such thoughts hatred is appeased.
Hate is not overcome by hate; by Love (Metta) alone is hate appeased. This is an eternal law. The others know not that in this quarrel we perish; those of them who realise it, have their quarrels calmed thereby.
Whoever lives contemplating pleasant things, with senses unrestrained, in food immoderate, indolent, inactive, him verily Mara overthrows, as the wind (overthrows) a weak tree. Whoever lives contemplating ``the Impurities'', with senses restrained, in food moderate, full of faith, full of sustained energy, him Mara overthrows not, as the wind (does not overthrow) a rocky mountain.
He who is stained (with defilements) without self-control and truthfulness, is not worthy of wearing the yellow robes. He who is purged of all stain, is well-established in morals and endowed with self-control and truthfulness, is indeed worthy of the yellow robe.
The one, who takes wrong to be right and right to be wrong, and who thinks always of sensual pleasures, cannot be successful in finding the Truth. The one, who takes right to be right and wrong to be wrong, and who thinks not of sensual pleasures, can be successful in finding the Truth.
Even as rain penetrates an ill-thatched house, so does lust penetrate an undeveloped mind. Even as rain does not penetrate a well-thatched house, so does lust not penetrate a well-developed mind.
Here he grieves, hereafter he grieves. In both states the evildoer grieves. He grieves, he afflicted, perceiving the impurity of his own deeds. Here he rejoices, hereafter he rejoices. In both states the welldoer rejoices. He rejoices, exceedingly rejoices, perceiving the purity of his own deeds.
Here he suffers, hereafter he suffers. In both states the evildoer suffers. ``Evil have I done'' (thinking thus), he suffers. Furthermore, he suffers, having gone to a woeful state. Here he is happy, hereafter he is happy. In both states the welldoer is happy. ``Good have I done'' (thinking thus), he is happy. Furthermore, is he happy, having gone to a blissful state.
Though much he recites the Sacred Texts, but acts not accordingly, that heedless man is like a cowherd who counts others' kine. He has no share in the fruits of the Holy life. Though little he recites the Sacred Texts, but acts in accordance with the teaching, forsaking lust, hatred and ignorance, truly knowing, with mind well freed, clinging to naught here and hereafter, he shares the fruits of the Holy life.
Return to The Dhammapada
One of the Five Precepts of Buddhist practice is to make no statement that is untrue; therefore:
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