—Translated by S.
Beck, © 1996 [Text on-line at http://www.edepot.com/budtext.html;
Nb: Beck’s prose translation is clearest, Wannapok’s verse is more like the
original in format; Richards’ is the least facile rendering.]
Excerpted here by Rev. Robert C. Swain for
UUCGB World Religions study group
1.
The Twin-Verses: What we are is the result of what we have thought, is
built by our thoughts, is made up of our thoughts.If one speaks or acts with an
impure thought, suffering follows one, as a cart’s wheel follows the foot of
the ox.
What we are is the result of what we have thought, is built by our thoughts, is
made up of our thoughts.If one speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness
follows, like a shadow that never leaves.
“They insulted me; they hurt me; they defeated me; they cheated me.” In those
who harbor such thoughts, hate will never cease. “They insulted me; they hurt
me; they defeated me; they cheated me.” In those who do not harbor such
thoughts, hate will cease. Hate is never conquered by hate; hate is conquered
by love. This is eternal law. Many do not realize we must all come to an end
here. Those who do realize it end their quarrels at once.
Whoever lives only for pleasures, with senses uncontrolled, immoderate in
eating, lazy, and weak, will be overthrown by Mara (i.e., Ignorance), as the wind throws down a weak tree. Whoever
lives not for pleasures, with senses well controlled, moderate in eating, has
faith and the power of virtue, will not be overthrown by Mara any more than the
wind throws down a rocky mountain. …. The virtuous find joy in this world and
they find joy in the next; they find joy in both. They find joy and are glad
when they see the good they have done. Wrong-doers suffer in this world and
they suffer in the next; they suffer in both. They suffer when they think of
the wrong they have done, and suffer even more while going on the wrong path.
2. Awareness: Awareness is the path of immortality; thoughtlessness is the path of death. Those who are aware do not die. The thoughtless are as if dead already. The wise having clearly understood this, delight in awareness and find joy in the knowledge of the noble ones. These wise ones, meditative, persevering, always working hard, attain nirvana, supreme peace and happiness. If a person is awake, aware, mindful, pure, considerate, self-restrained, and lives according to duty, that person’s glory will increase. By awakening, by awareness, by restraint and control, the wise may make for oneself an island which no flood can overwhelm.
6.
The Wise: If you see a wise person who shows you your faults, who shows
what is to be avoided, follow that wise person as you would one who reveals
hidden treasures; you will be better not worse for following that one.
Let one admonish; let one teach; let one forbid the wrong; and then be loved by
the good, hated by the bad.
Do not choose wrong-doers for friends; do not have despicable people for
friends; have virtuous people for friends; have for friends only the best
people. ….
Few are those who reach the farther shore; the others here run along this
shore. But those who, when the truth has been taught to them, follow the truth,
will pass over the dominion of death, however difficult to cross. ….
8.
The Thousands: Better than a thousand meaningless words is one sensible
word if hearing it one becomes peaceful.
Better than a thousand meaningless verses is one word of verse if hearing it
one becomes peaceful. Better than reciting one hundred verses of meaningless
words is one poem if hearing it one
becomes peaceful. ….
Conquering oneself is better than conquering other people; not even a god, a
spirit, nor Mara with Brahma, could turn into a defeat the victory of one who
always practices the discipline of self-control. ….
Better than a hundred years lived in vice and unrestrained is living one day if
a person is virtuous and contemplative. Better than a hundred years lived in
ignorance and unrestrained is living one day if a person is wise and
contemplative. Better than a hundred years lived in idleness and weakness is
living one day if a person courageously makes effort. ….
10. Punishment: Everyone trembles at punishment; everyone fears death. Likening others to oneself, one should neither kill nor cause killing. …. Whoever seeking one’s own happiness inflicts pain on others who also want happiness will not find happiness after death. ….
11.
Old Age: Why is there laughter, why is there joy while this world is
always burning? Why do you not seek a light, you who are shrouded in darkness?
Consider this dressed-up lump covered with wounds, joined with limbs, diseased,
and full of many schemes which are neither permanent nor stable. This body is
wearing out, a nest of diseases and frail; this heap of corruption falls apart;
life ends in death. What pleasure is there for one who sees these white bones like
gourds thrown away in the autumn? A fortress is made out of the bones,
plastered over with flesh and blood, and in it lives old age and death, pride
and deceit. The glorious chariots of the kings wear out; the body also comes to
old age; but the virtue of good people never ages; thus the good teach each
other.
12.
Self: If a person holds oneself dear, let one watch oneself carefully. The
wise should be watchful during at least one of the three watches. Let each
person first direct oneself to what is right; then let one teach others; thus
the wise will not suffer. If a person makes oneself as one teaches others to
be, then being well-controlled, that one might guide others, since self-control
is difficult.
By oneself is wrong done; by oneself one suffers; by oneself is wrong left
undone; by oneself is one purified. Purity and impurity come from oneself; no
one can purify another. Let no one neglect one’s own duty for the sake of
another’s, however great; after discerning one’s own duty, be always attentive
to that.
13.
The World: Look upon the world as a bubble; look on it as a mirage. Whoever
looks thus upon the world is not seen by the sovereign of death. Come, look at
this world resembling a painted royal chariot. The foolish are immersed in it,
but the wise are not attached to it. ….
14.
The Awakened: …. The one whom no desire with its snares and poisons can
lead astray, by what track can you lead that one, the awakened, the omniscient,
the trackless? Even the gods emulate those who are awakened and aware, who are
given to meditation, who are wise, and who find joy in the peace of
renunciation.
It is difficult to be born as a human being; difficult is the life of mortals; difficult
is the hearing of the true path; difficult is the awakening of enlightenment.
….
15.
Joy: Let us live in joy, not hating those who hate us. Among those who
hate us, we live free of hate. Let us live in joy,
free from disease among those who are diseased. Among those who are diseased,
let us live free of disease. Let us live in joy, free from greed among the
greedy. Among those who are greedy, we live free of greed. Let us live in joy,
though we possess nothing. Let us live feeding on joy, like the bright gods.
….
19. The Just: Whoever settles a matter by violence is not just. The wise calmly considers what is right and what is wrong. Whoever guides others by a procedure that is nonviolent and fair is said to be a guardian of truth, wise and just.
20.
The Path: Best of the paths is the eightfold, best of the truths the
four; best of the virtues is freedom from attachment;
best of the people is the one who sees. This is the path; there is no other
that leads to the purifying of insight.
Follow this path and Mara will be confused. If you follow this path, you will
end your suffering. This path was preached by me when I became aware of the
removal of thorns. You must make the effort yourself. The perfected ones are
only preachers. Those who enter the path and meditate are released from the
bondage of Mara. ….
23.
The Elephant: I shall endure painful words as the elephant in battle
endures arrows shot from the bow; for most people are ill-natured. They lead a
tamed elephant into battle; the king mounts a tamed elephant.
The tamed are the best of people, who endure patiently painful words. Mules are
good, if tamed, and noble Sindhu horses and elephants with large tusks; but
whoever tames oneself is better still. For with these animals no one reaches
the untrodden country where a tamed person goes on one’s own tamed nature. ….
24. Craving: The craving of a thoughtless person grows like a creeper. That one runs from life to life, like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest. …. As a tree, even though it has been cut down, grows again if its root is strong and undamaged, similarly if the roots of craving are not destroyed, this suffering returns again and again. ….
26.
The Holy One: …. For the one I call holy, there is neither this shore
nor that shore nor both. The Holy One is free from fear and free from shackles.
The one I call holy is thoughtful, detached, settled, accomplished, desireless,
and has attained the highest goal.
The sun shines by day; the moon lights up the night; the warriors shine in
their armor; the holy one shines in meditation; but the awakened shines
radiantly all day and night. Because a person has put aside wrong, one is
called holy. Because one lives serenely, one is called an ascetic. Because one
gets rid of impurities, one is called a pilgrim. No one should hurt a holy one,
but no holy one should strike back. Woe to the one who hurts a holy one; more
woe to the one who strikes back…..
The one I call holy, though having committed no offense, patiently
bears reproach, ill-treatment, and imprisonment, has endurance for one’s force
and strength for one’s army. The one I call holy is free from anger, faithful
to vows, virtuous, free from lust, controlled, and has received one’s last body.
The one I call holy does not cling to pleasures, like water on a lotus leaf or
a mustard seed on the point of a needle. The one I call holy even here knows
the end of suffering, has laid down one’s burden, and is detached. ….