The Dhammapada · Traditional
44. Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama (the lord of
the departed), and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the plainly
shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower?
45. The disciple will overcome the earth, and the world of Yama, and the
world of the gods. The disciple will find out the plainly shown path of
virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower.
46. He who knows that this body is like froth, and has learnt that it
is as unsubstantial as a mirage, will break the flower-pointed arrow of
Mara, and never see the king of death.
47. Death carries off a man who is gathering flowers and whose mind is
distracted, as a flood carries off a sleeping village.
48. Death subdues a man who is gathering flowers, and whose mind is
distracted, before he is satiated in his pleasures.
49. As the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower,
or its colour or scent, so let a sage dwell in his village.
50. Not the perversities of others, not their sins of commission or
omission, but his own misdeeds and negligences should a sage take notice
of.
51. Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without scent, are the
fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly.
52. But, like a beautiful flower, full of colour and full of scent, are
the fine and fruitful words of him who acts accordingly.
53. As many kinds of wreaths can be made from a heap of flowers, so many
good things may be achieved by a mortal when once he is born.
54. The scent of flowers does not travel against the wind, nor (that
of) sandal-wood, or of Tagara and Mallika flowers; but the odour of good
people travels even against the wind; a good man pervades every place.
55. Sandal-wood or Tagara, a lotus-flower, or a Vassiki, among these
sorts of perfumes, the perfume of virtue is unsurpassed.
56. Mean is the scent that comes from Tagara and sandal-wood;--the
perfume of those who possess virtue rises up to the gods as the highest.
57. Of the people who possess these virtues, who live without
thoughtlessness, and who are emancipated through true knowledge, Mara,
the tempter, never finds the way.
58, 59. As on a heap of rubbish cast upon the highway the lily will
grow full of sweet perfume and delight, thus the disciple of the truly
enlightened Buddha shines forth by his knowledge among those who are
like rubbish, among the people that walk in darkness.
· · ·
End of part 4 of 26
Continue readingChapter V: The Fool
Starvard