Selections from the Dhammapada - Chapters 19-23, P2 of 2

CHAPTER 21 MISCELLANEOUS“The disciples of Gautama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on the Buddha. The disciples of Gautama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on the Dharma. The disciples of Gautama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on the Sangha. The disciples of Gautama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their minds day and night always delight in compassion. The disciples of Gautama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their minds day and night always delight in meditation. Whatever place a faithful, virtuous, and celebrated person chooses, there they are respected. Good people shine from afar, like the snowy mountains; bad people are not seen, like arrows shot by night. They alone who, without ceasing, practice the duty of sitting alone and sleeping alone, they, subduing themselves, will rejoice in the destruction of all desires alone, as if living in a forest.”

CHAPTER 22 THE DESCENDING COURSE“They who say what is not, go to hell; they also who, having done a thing, say ‘I have not done it.’ After death both are equal, they are people with evil deeds in the next world. Many hypocritical people whose shoulders are covered with the yellow gown are ill-conditioned and unrestrained; such evil-doers by their evil deeds go to hell. Better it would be to swallow a heated iron ball, like flaring fire, than that of a bad unrestrained fellow should live on alms. Four things does a reckless person gain who covets their neighbor’s spouse: a bad reputation, an uncomfortable bed, thirdly, punishment, and lastly, hell. As a grass-blade, if badly grasped, cuts the arm, badly-practiced asceticism leads to hell. An act carelessly performed, a broken vow, and hesitating obedience to discipline, all this brings no great reward. If anything is to be done, let a person do it, let them attack it vigorously! A careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of their passions more widely.

An evil deed is better left undone, for a person repents of it afterwards; a good deed is better done, for having done it, one does not repent. Like a well-guarded frontier fort, with defenses within and without, so let a person guard themselves. Not a moment should escape, for they who allow the right moment to pass, suffer pain when they are in hell. They who are ashamed of what they ought not to be ashamed of and are not ashamed of what they ought to be ashamed of, such people, embracing false doctrines enter the evil path. They who fear when they ought not to fear, and fear not when they ought to fear, such people, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path. They who forbid when there is nothing to be forbidden and forbid not when there is something to be forbidden, such people, embracing false doctrines, enter the evil path. They who know what is forbidden as forbidden, and what is not forbidden as not forbidden, such people, embracing the true doctrine, enter the good path.”

CHAPTER 23 THE ELEPHANT (ENDURANCE AND SELF-RESTRAINT)“The mind went formerly wandering about as it liked, as it listed, as it pleased; but one shall now hold it in thoroughly. Be not thoughtless, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the evil way, like an elephant sunk in mud. If a person finds a prudent companion who walks with them, is wise, and lives soberly, they may walk with them, overcoming all dangers, happy, but considerate. If a person finds no prudent companion who walks with them, is wise, and lives soberly, let them walk alone, like a king who has left his conquered country behind – like an elephant in the forest. It is better to live alone, there is no companionship with a fool; let a person walk alone, let them commit no sin, with few wishes, like an elephant in the forest. If an occasion arises, friends are pleasant; enjoyment is pleasant, whatever be the cause; a good work is pleasant in the hour of death; the giving up of all grief is pleasant. Pleasant in the world is the state of a mother, pleasant the state of a father, pleasant the state of a Samana, pleasant the state of a Brâhmana. Pleasant is virtue lasting to old age, pleasant is a faith firmly rooted; pleasant is attainment of intelligence, pleasant is avoiding of sins.”