The Dhammapada - Sayings of the Buddha - (Audiobook)

the Dhammapada the sayings of the Buddha translated by F max Miller and narrated by Robin Homer chapter one the twin verses all that we are is the result of what we have thought it is founded on our thoughts it is made up of our thoughts if a man speaks or acts with an evil thoughts pain follows him as the wheels follow the foot of the Ox that draws the carriage all that we are is the result of what we have thought it is founded on our thoughts it is made up of our thoughts if a man speaks or acts with a pure thought happiness follows him like a shadow that never leaves him he abused me he beats me he defeated me he robbed me in those who harbor such thoughts hatred will never cease he abused me he beat me he defeated me he robbed me in those who do not Harbor such thoughts hatred will cease for hatred does not cease by hatred at any time hatred ceases by love this is an old rule the world does not know that we must all come to an end here but those who know it their quarrels cease at once he who lives looking for pleasures only his sense is uncontrolled in moderate in his food idle and weak mara the tempter will certainly overthrow him as the wind throws down a weak tree he who lives without looking for pleasures his senses well-controlled moderate in his food faithful and strong him Mara will certainly not overthrow any more than the wind throws down a rocky mountain he who wishes to put on the yellow dress without having cleansed himself from sin who disregards temperance and truth is unworthy of the yellow dress but he who has cleansed himself from sin is well grounded in all virtues and regards also temperance and truth he is indeed worthy of the dress they who imagine truth in untruth and see untruth in truth never arrive at truth but follow vain desires they who know truth in truth and untruth in untruth arrive at truth and follow true desires as rain breaks through an ill thatched house passion will break through an unreflecting mind as rain does not break through a well fetched house passion will not break through a well reflecting mind the evildoer mourns in this world and he mourns in the next he mourns in both he mourns and suffers when he sees the evil of his own work the virtuous man delights in this world and he delights in the next he delights in both he delights and rejoices when he sees the purity of his own work the evildoer suffers in this world and he suffers in the next he suffers in both he suffers when he thinks of the evil he has done he suffers more when going on the evil path the virtuous man is happy in this world and he is happy in the next he is happy in both he is happy when he thinks of the good he has done he is still more happy when going on the good path the thoughtless man even if he can recite a large portion of the law but is not a doer of it has no share in the priesthood but is like a cowherd to counting the cows of others the follower of the law even if he can recite only a small portion of it but having forsaken passion and hatred and foolishness possesses true knowledge and serenity of mind he caring for nothing in this world all that to come has indeed a share in the priesthood chapter 2 on earnestness earnestness is the path of immortality nirvana a thoughtlessness the path of death those who are in earnest do not die those who are thoughtless are as if dead already those who are advanced in earnestness having understood this clearly delight in earnestness and rejoice in the knowledge of the Arias the elect these wise people meditative steady always possessed of strong powers attained to Nirvana the highest happiness if an earnest person has roused himself if he is not forgetful if his deeds are pure if he acts with consideration if he restrains himself and lives according to law then his glory will increase by rousing himself by earnestness by restraint and control the wise man may make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm fools follow after vanity men of evil wisdom the wise man keeps earnestness as his best jewel follow not after vanity nor after the enjoyment of love and lust he who is earnest and meditative obtains ample joy when the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness he the wise climbing the terraced heights of wisdom looks down upon the fools serene he looks upon the toiling crowd as one that stands on a mountain looks down upon them that stand upon the plain earnest among the thoughtless awake among the sleepers the wise man advances like a racer leaving behind for hack by earnestness did McGavin Indra rise to the lordship of the gods people praised earnestness thoughtlessness is always blamed a big shoe mendicant who delights in earnestness who looks with fear on thoughtlessness moves about slight fire burning all his fetters small or large bhikshu mendicant - delights in reflection who looks with fear on thoughtlessness cannot fall away from his perfect state he is close upon nirvana chapter 3 thought as a Fletcher make straight his arrow a wise man makes straight his trembling and unsteady thought which is difficult to guard difficult to hold back as a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on dry ground our thought trembles all over in order to escape the Dominion of Mara the tempter it is good to tame the mind which is difficult to hold in and flighty rushing wherever it listeth a tamed mind brings happiness let the wise man guard his thoughts for they are difficult to perceive very artful and they rush wherever they list thoughts well-guarded bring happiness those who bridle their mind which travels far moves about alone is without a body and hides in the chamber of the heart will be free from the bonds of Mara the tempter if a man's thoughts are unsteady if he does not know the true law if his peace of mind is troubled his knowledge will never be perfect if a man's thoughts are not dissipated if his mind is not perplexed if he has ceased to think of good or evil then there is no fear for him while he is watchful knowing that this body is fragile like a jar and making this thought firm like a fortress one should attack Mara the tempter with the weapon of knowledge one should watch him when conquered and should never rest before long alas this body will lie on the earth despised without understanding like a useless log whatever a hater may do to a hater nor an enemy to an enemy a wrongly directed mind will do us greater mischief not a mother not a father will do so much nor any other relative a well-directed mind will do us greater service chapter 4 flowers 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 though right flower the disciple will overcome the earth and the world of Yama and the world of the gods the disciple will find the plainly shown path of virtue as a clever man finds out the right flower 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 death carries off a man who is gathering flowers and whose mind is distracted as a flood carries off a sleeping village death subdues a man who is gathering flowers and whose mind is distracted before he is satiated in his pleasures as the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower or its color or scent so let the sage dwell in his village not the perversities of others not their sins of commission or omission but his own misdeeds and negligence 'as should a sage take notice of like a beautiful flower full of color but without scent are the fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly but like a beautiful flower full of color and full of scent are the fine and fruitful words of him who acts accordingly 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 the sense of flowers does not travel against the winds nor that of sandalwood door of togoro and Malecha flowers but the odour of good people travels even against the win a good man pervades every place sandalwood Otto Gaara a lotus flower or a Vasuki among these sorts of perfumes the perfume of virtue is unsurpassed mean is the sense that comes from Sagara and sandalwood the perfume of those who possess virtue rises up to the gods as the highest 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 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 chapter 5 the fool long is the night to him who is awake long is a mile to him who is tired long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law if a traveler does not meet with one who is his better or his equal let him firmly keep to his solitary journey there is no companionship with a fool these sons belong to me and this wealth belongs to me with such thoughts a fool is tormented he himself does not belong to himself how much less suns and wealth the fool who knows his foolishness is wise at least so far but a fool who thinks himself wise he is a fool indeed if a fool be associated with a wise man even all his life he will perceive the truth as little as a spoon perceives the taste of soup if an intelligent man be associated for one minute only with a wise man he will soon perceive the truth as the tongue perceives the taste of soup fools of little understanding have themselves for their greatest enemies before they do evil deeds which must bear bitter fruits that deed is not well done of which a man must repent and the reward of which he receives crying and with a tearful face know that deed is well done of which a man does not repent and the reward of which he receives gladly and cheerfully as long as the evil deed does not bear fruit the fool thinks it is like honey but when it ripens then the fool suffers grief let a fool month after month eat his food like an ascetic with the tip of a blade of kusa grass yet he is not worth the 16th particle of those who have well weighed the law an evil deeds like newly drawn milk does not turn suddenly smouldering like fire covered by ashes it follows the fool and when the evil deed after it has become known brings sorrow to the fool then it destroys his bright slot nay it cleaves his head let the fool wish for a false reputation for precedence among the bed shoes for lordship in the convents for worship among other people may both the layman and he who has left the world think that this is done by me may they be subject to me in everything which is to be done or is not to be done thus is the mind of the fool and his desire and pride increase one is the road that leads to wealth another the road that leads to Nirvana if the big shoe the disciple of Buddha has learned this he will not yearn for honor he will strive after separation from the world chapter 6 the wise man or panditah if you see an intelligent man who tells you where true treasures are to be found who shows you what is to be avoided and administers reproofs follow that wise man it will be better not worse for those who follow him let him admonish let him teach let him forbid what is improper he will be beloved of the goods by the bad he will be hated do not have evildoers for friends do not have low people for friends have virtuous people for friends have for friends the best of men he who drinks in the law lives happily with a serene mind the sage rejoices always in the law as preached by the elect the areas well makers lead the water wherever they like Fletcher's bends the arrow carpenters bend a lot of wood wise people fashion themselves a solid rock is not shaken by the wind wise people falter not amidst blame and praise wise people after they have listened to the laws become serene like a deep smooth and still lake good people walk on whatever befall the goods do not prattle longing for pleasure whether touched by happiness or sorrow wise people never appear elated or depressed if whether for his own sake or for the sake of others a man wishes neither for a son nor for wealth nor for lordship and if he does not wish for his own success by unfair means then he is good wise and virtuous few are there among men who arrive at the other Shore become our hats the other people here run up and down the shore but those who and the law has been well preached to them follow the law will pass across the Dominion of death however difficult to overcome a wise man should leave the dark state of ordinary life and follow the bright state the big shoe after going from his home to a homeless state he should in his retirement looked for enjoyment where there seemed to be no enjoyments leaving all pleasures behind and calling noting his own the wise man should purge himself from all the troubles of the mind those whose mind is well grounded in the seven elements of knowledge who without clinging to anything rejoice in freedom from attachments whose appetites have been conquered and who are full of light are free even in this world chapter seven the venerable or our hats there is no suffering for him who has finished his journey and abandoned grief who has freed himself on all sides and thrown off all fetters they depart with their thoughts well collected they are not happy in their abode like swans who have left their lake they leave their house and home men who have no riches who live on recognized food who have perceived void and the unconditioned freedom of Nirvana their path is difficult to understand like that of birds in the air he whose appetites are stilled who is not absorbed in enjoyment who has perceived void and the unconditioned freedom of Nirvana his path is difficult to understand like that of birds in the air the gods even envied him who senses like horses well broken in by the driver have been subdued who is free from Pride and free from appetites such a one who does his duty is tolerance like the earth like indras bolts he is like a lake without mud no new births are in store for him his thought is quiet quiet are his word and deeds when he has obtained freedom by true knowledge when he is thus become a quiet man the man who is free from credulity but knows the uncreated who has cut all ties removed all temptations renounced all desires he is the greatest of men in a hamlet or in a forest or in the deep water on the dry land wherever venerable persons are hunted well that place is delightful forests are delightful where the world finds no delight there the passionless will finds delight for they look not for pleasures chapter 8 the thousands even though a speech be a thousand words but made up of senseless words one word of sense is better in which if a man his he becomes quiet even though Agatha poem be a thousand words but made up of senseless words one word of Agatha is better which if a man his he becomes quiet though a man recite a hundred gatha's made up of senseless words one word of the law is better which if a man hears he becomes quiet if one man conquer in battle a thousand times thousands men and if another conquer himself he is the greatest of conquerors one's own self Concord is better than all other people not even a god a gun Harbor not Mara with Brahman could change into defeat the victory of a man who has vanquished himself and always lives under restraint if a man for a hundred years sacrificed month after month with a thousand and if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul is grounded in true knowledge better is that homage than sacrifice for a hundred years if a man for a hundred years worship Agni fire in the forest and if he but for one moment pay homage to a man whose soul is grounded in true knowledge better is that homage than sacrifice for a hundred years whatever a man sacrifice in this world as an offering or as an ablation for a whole year in order to gain merit the whole of it is not worth a farthing reverence shown to the righteous is better he who always greets and constantly Revere's the aged for things will increase to him life beauty happiness power but he who lives a hundred years vicious and unrestrained a life of one day is better if a man is virtuous and reflecting and he who lives a hundred years ignorant and unrestrained a life of one day is better if a man is wise and reflecting and he who lives a hundred years idle and weak a life of one day is better if a man has attained firm strength and he who lives a hundred years not seeing beginning and end a life of one day is better if a man sees beginning and end and he who lives a hundred years not seeing the immortal place a life of one day is better if a man sees the immortal place and he who lives a hundred years not seeing the highest law a life of one day is better if a man sees the highest law chapter nine evil if a man would hasten towards the goods he should keep his thought away from evil if a man does what is good slothful II his mind delights in evil if a man commits a sin let him not do it again let him not delight in sin pain is the outcome of evil if a man does what is good let him do it again let him delight in it happiness is the outcome of good even an evildoer sees happiness as long as his evil deed has not ripened but when his evil deed has ripened then does the evildoer see evil even a good man sees evil days as long as his good deed has not ripened but when his good deed has ripened then does the good man see happy days let no man think lightly of evil saying in his heart it will not come nigh unto me even by the falling of water drops a water pot is filled the fool becomes full of evil even if he gather it little by little less no man think lightly of good saying in his heart it will not come nigh unto me even by the falling of water drops a water pot is filled the wise man becomes full of good even if he gather it little by little let a man avoid evil deeds as a merchant if he has few companions and carries much wealth avoids a dangerous road as a man who loves life avoids poison he who has no wound on his hands may touch poison with his hands poison does not affect one who has no wound nor is there evil for one who does not commit evil if a man offend a harmless pure and innocent person the evil falls back upon that fool like light dust thrown up against the wind some people are born again evildoers go to hell righteous people go to heaven those who are free from all worldly desires attain nirvana not in the sky not in the midst of the sea not if we enter the clefts of the mountains is there known a spot in the whole world where a man might be freed from an evil deed not in the sky not in the midst of the sea not if we enter the clefts of the mountains is there known a spot in the whole world where death could not overcome the mortal chapter ten punishments all men tremble at punishment all men fear death remember that you are like unto them and do not kill nor cause slaughter all men tremble at punishment all men love life remember that you are like unto them and do not kill nor or slaughter he who's seeking his own happiness punishes or kills beings who also longed for happiness will not finds happiness after death he who's seeking his own happiness does not punish or kill beings who also longed for happiness will finds happiness after death do not speak harshly to anybody those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way angry speech is painful blows for blows will touch thee if like a shattered metal Gong you utter knots then you have reached Nirvana contention is not known to you as a cowherd with his staff drives his cows into the stable so do age and death drive the life of men a fool does not know when he commits his evil deeds but the wicked man burns by his own deeds as if burnt by fire he who inflicts pain on innocent and harmless persons will soon come to one of these ten states he will have cruel suffering loss injury of the body heavy affliction or loss of mind or a misfortune coming from the king or a fearful accusation or loss of relations or destruction of treasures or lightning fire will burn his houses and when his body is destroyed the fool will go to hell not nakedness not plaited hair not dirt not fasting or lying on the earth not rubbing with dust not sitting motionless can purify a mortal who has not overcome desires he who though dressed in fine apparel exercises tranquility is quiet subdued restrained chased and has ceased to find fault with all other beings he indeed is a brahmana an ascetic sramana a friar bhikshu is in this world any man so restrained by humility that he does not mind reproof as a well-trained horse the whip like a well-trained horse when touched by the width bu active and lively and by faith by virtue by energy by meditation by discernment of the law you will overcome this great pain of reproof perfect in knowledge and in behavior and never forgetful well makers lead the water wherever they like Fletcher's bends the arrow carpenters bend a log of wood good people fashioned themselves chapter 11 old age how is their laughter how is their joy or is this world always burning why do you not seek alliance you who are surrounded by darkness look at this dressed up lump covered with wounds joined together sickly full of many thoughts which has no strength no hold this body is wasted full of sickness and frail this heap of corruption breaks into pieces life indeed ends in death those white bones those gourds thrown away in autumn what pleasure is there in looking at them after a stronghold has been made of the bones it is covered with flesh and blood and there dwell in it old age and death pride and deceit the brilliant chariots of Kings are destroyed the body also approaches destruction but the virtue of good people never approaches destruction thus to the good say to the good looking for the maker of this Tabernacle I shall have to run through a course of many births so long as I do not find him and painful is birth again and again but now maker of the tabernacle you have been seen you shall not make this Tabernacle again all the rafters are broken the ridgepole is sundered the mind approaching the eternal Sankara nirvana has attained to the extinction of all desires men who have not observed proper discipline and have not gained treasure in their youth perish like old herons in a lake without fish men who have not observed proper discipline and have not gained treasure in their youth lie like broken bows sighing after the past chapter 12 self if a man hold himself dear let him watch himself carefully during one at least out of the three watches a wise man should be watchful let each man direct himself first to what is proper then let him teach others thus a wise man will not suffer if a man make himself as he teaches others to be then being himself well subdued he may subdue others one's own self is indeed difficult to subdue self is the lord of self who else could be the Lord with self well subdued a man finds a Lord such as Fugue and find the evil done by oneself self begotten self bred crushes the foolish as a diamond breaks a precious stone he whose wickedness is very great brings himself down to the state where his enemy wishes him to be as a creeper does with the tree which it surrounds bad deeds and deeds hurtful to ourselves are easy to do what is beneficial and good that is very difficult to do the foolish man who scorns the rule of the venerable our our heart of the elect area of the virtuous and follows false doctrines he bears fruits to his own destruction like the fruits of the kataka read by oneself the evil is done by oneself one suffers by oneself evil is left undone by oneself one is purified purity and impurity belong to oneself no one can purify another letter no one forgets his own duty for the sake of an others however grades let a man after he has discerned his own Duty be always attentive to his duty chapter 13 the world do not follow the evil law do not live on in thoughtlessness do not follow false doctrine be not a friend of the world rouse thyself do not be idle follow the law of virtue the virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next follow the law of virtue do not follow that of sin the virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next look upon the world as a bubble look upon it as a mirage the king of death does not see him who thus looks down upon the world come look at this glittering world like unto a royal chariot the foolish are immersed in it but the wise do not touch it he who formerly was reckless and afterwards became sober brightens up this world like the moon when freed from clouds he whose evil deeds are covered by good deeds brightens up this world like the moon when freed from the clouds this world is dark few only can see here a few only go to heaven like birds escaped from the net the Swans go on the path of the Sun they go through the ether by means of their miraculous power the wise are led out of this world when they have conquered Mara and his train if a man has transgressed one law and speaks lies and scoffs at another world there is no evil he will not do the uncharitable do not go to the world of the gods fools only do not praise liberality a wise man rejoices in liberality and through it becomes blessed in the other world better than sovereignty over the earth better than going to heaven better than lordship over all worlds is the reward of the first step in holiness chapter 14 the Buddha the awakened he whose conquest is not conquered again into whose conquest no one in this world enters by what track can you lead him the awakens the omniscient the trackless he whom no desire with its snares and poisons can lead astray by what track can you lead him the awakens the omniscient the trackless even the gods envy those who are awakened and not forgetful who are given to meditation who are wise and who delight in the repose of retirement from the world difficult to obtain is the conception of men difficult is the life of mortals difficult is the hearing of the true law difficult is the birth of the awakens the attainment of Buddhahood not to commit any sin to do good and to purify one's mind that is the teaching of all the awakens the awakened call patience the highest penance long-suffering the highest Nirvana for he is not an anchorite prageeta who strikes others he is not an ascetic sramana who insults others not to blame not to strike to live restrained under the law to be moderate in eating to sleep and sit alone and to dwell on the highest thoughts this is the teaching of the awakened there is no satisfying lusts even by a shower of gold pieces he who knows that lusts have a short taste and cause pain he is wise even in heavenly pleasures he finds no satisfaction the disciple who is fully awakened delights only in the destruction of all desires men driven by fear go to many a refuge to mountains and forests to groves and sacred trees but that is not a safe refuge that is not the best refuge a man is not delivered from all pains after having gone to that refuge he who takes refuge with Buddha the law and the church he who with clear understanding sees the four holy truths pain the origin of pain the destruction of pain and the Eightfold holy way that leads the quieting of pain that is the safe refuge that is the best refuge having gone to that refuge a man is delivered from all pain a supernatural person a Buddha is not easily found he is not born everywhere wherever such a sage is born that race prospers happy is the arising of the awakened happy is the teaching of the true law happy is peace in the church happy is the devotion of those who are at peace he who pays homage to those who deserve homage whether the awakened Buddha or their disciples those who have overcome the hosts of evils and crossed the flood of sorrow he who pays homage to such as a found deliverance and know no fear his merit can never be measured by anybody chapter fifteen happiness let us live happily then not hating those who hate us among men who hate us let us dwell free from hatred let us live happily then free from ailments among the a link among men who are ailing let us dwell free from ailments let us live happily then free from greed among the greedy among men who are greedy let us dwell free from greed let us live happily then though we call nothing our own we shall be like the bright gods feeding on happiness victory breeds hatred for the conquered is unhappy he who has given up both victory ends defeat he either contented is happy there is no fire like passion there is no losing throw like hatred there is no pain like this body there is no happiness higher than rest hunger is the worst of diseases the body the greatest of pains if one knows this truly that is nirvana the highest happiness health is the greatest of gifts contentedness the best riches Trust is the best of relationships nirvana the highest happiness he who has tasted the sweetness of solitude and tranquillity is free from fear and free from sin while he tastes the sweetness of drinking in the law the sight of the elect areia is good to live with them is always happiness if a man does not see fools he will be truly happy he who walks in the company of fools suffers a long way company with fools as with an enemy is always painful company with the wise is pleasure like meeting with kinsfolk therefore one ought to follow the wise the intelligence the learning the much-enduring the dutiful the elect one ought to follow a good and wise man as the moon follows the path of the stars chapter 16 pleasure he who gives himself to vanity and does not give himself to meditation forgetting the real aim of life and grasping at pleasure will in time envy him who has exerted himself in meditation let's no man ever look for what is pleasant or what is unpleasant not to see what is pleasant is pain and it is pain to see what is unpleasant let therefore no man love anything loss of the beloved is evil those who love nothing and haze nothing have no fetters from pleasure comes grief from pleasure comes fear he who is free from pleasure knows neither grief nor fear from affection comes grief from affection comes fear he who is free from affection knows neither grief nor fear from lust comes grief from lust comes fear he who is free from lust knows neither grief nor fear from love comes grief from love comes fear he who is free from love knows neither grief nor fear from greed comes brief from greed comes fear he who is free from greed knows neither grief nor fear he who possesses virtue and intelligence who is just who speaks the truth and does what is his own business him the world will hold dear he in whom a desire for the ineffable Nirvana has sprung up who is satisfied in his mind and whose thoughts are not bewildered by love he is cold wood Ram Stratos carried upwards by the stream kinsmen friends and lovers salute a man who has been long away and returns safe from afar in like manner his good works receive him who has done good and has gone from this world to the other as kinsmen receive a friend on his return 17 anger let a man leave anger let him forsake pride let him overcome all Bondi no sufferings befall the man who is not attached to name and form and who calls nothing his own he who holds back rising anger like a rolling chariot him I call a real driver other people are about holding the reins let a man overcome anger by love let him overcome evil by good let him overcome the greedy by liberality the liar by truth speak the truth do not yield to anger give if thou art asked for little by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods the sages who engine Oh buddy and do always control their body they will go to the unchangeable place Nirvana where if they have gone they will suffer no more those who are ever watchful who study day and night and who strive after Nirvana their passions will come to an end this is an old saying go at Allah this is not only of today they blame him who sits silent they blame him who speaks much they also blame him who says little there is no one on earth who is not blamed there never was there never will be nor is there now a man who is always blamed or a man who is always praised but he whom those who discriminate praise continually day after day as without blemish wise rich in knowledge and virtue who were dare to blame him like a coin made of gold from the gamba river even the gods praised him he is praised even by Brahman beware bodily anger and control thy body leave the sins of the body and with thy body practice virtue beware of the anger of the tongue can control that Ungh leave the sins of the tongue and practice virtue with beware of the anger of the mind and control thy mind leave the sins of the mind and practice virtue with thy mind the wise who control their body who control their tongue who control their mind are indeed well controlled chapter 18 impurity thou art now like a seer Lee the messengers of death Yama have come near to thee thou standest at the door of thy departure and thou has no provision for thy journey make thyself an island work hard be wise when thy impurities are blown away and thou art free from guilt thou wilt enter into the heavenly world of the elect areia thy life has come to an end thou art near to death there is no resting place for the on the road and thou has no provision for thy journey make thyself an island work hard be wise when thy impurities are blown away and their art free from guilt thou wilt not enter again into birth and decay let a wise man blow off the impurities of self as a Smith blows off the impurities of silver one by one little by little and from time to time as the impurity which springs from the iron when it Springs from it destroys it thus doer transgressors own works lead him to the evil path the taint of prayers is non-repetition the taint of houses non repair the taint of the body is sloth the taint of a watchman thoughtlessness bad conduct is the taints of woman greediness the taint of a benefactor tainted are all evil ways in this world and in the next but there is a taint worse than all taints ignorance is the greatest taint o mendicants throw off that taint and become painless life is easy to live for a man who is without shame a crow hero a miss if maker an insulting bold and wretched fellow but life is hard to live for a modest man who always looks for what is pure who is disinterested quiet spotless and intelligence he who destroys life who speaks untruth who in this world takes what is not given him who goes to another man's wife and the man who gives himself to drinking intoxicating liquors he even in this world digs up his own root oh man no this that the unrestrained are in a bad state take care that greediness and vice do not bring thee to grief for a long time the world gives according to their faith or according to their pleasure if a man frets about the food and the drink given to others he will find no rest either by day or by night he in whom that feeling is destroyed and taken out with the very root finds rest by day and by night there is no fire like passion there is no shark like hatred there is no snare like folly there is no torrent like greed the fault of others is easily perceived but that of oneself is difficult to perceive a man winnows his neighbor's faults like chaff but his own fault he hides as a cheat hides the bad die from the gambler if the man looks after the faults of others and is always inclined to be offended his own passions will grow and he is far from the destruction of passions there is no path through the air a man is not a Samana by outward acts the world delights in vanity the tathagata's the Buddha's are free from vanity there is no path through the air a man is not a Samana by outward acts no creatures are eternal but the awakened Buddha are never shaken 2:19 the just a man is not just if he carries a matter by violence no he who distinguishes both right and wrong who is learned and leads others not by violence but by law and equity and who is guarded by the law and intelligent he is called just a man is not learn it because he talks much he who is patient free from hatred and fear he is learning a man is not a supporter of the law because he talks much even if a man has learned little but sees the law bodily he is a supporter of the law a man who never neglects the law a man is not an elder because his head is gray his age may be ripe but he is called old in vain he in whom there is truth virtue love restraint moderation he who is free from impurity and is wise he is called an elder an envious greedy dishonest man does not become respectable by means of much talking only or by the beauty of his complexion he in whom all this is destroyed and taken out with the very root he when freed from hatred and wise is called respectable not by tonsured as a disciplined man who speaks falsehood become a Samana can a man be a Samana who is still held captive by desire and greediness he who always quiets the evil whether small or large he is called a Samana a quiet man because he is quieted all evil a man is not a mendicants big shoe simply because he asks others for arms he who adopts the whole law is a big shoe not he who only begs he who is above good and evil who is chaste who with knowledge passes through the world he indeed is called a bhikkhu a man is not a Moony because he observes silence see if he is foolish and ignorant but the wise who the balance chooses the good and avoids the evil he is a Moony and is a Moony thereby he who in this world weighs both sides is called a Moony a man is not an elect area because he injures living creatures because he has pity on all living creatures thereby is a man called area not only by discipline and vowels not only by much learning not by entering into a trance not by sleeping alone do I earn the happiness of release which no world Lincoln no big shoe be not confident as long as thou has not attained the extinction of desires chapter 20 the way the best of ways is the Eightfold the best of truths is the four words the best of virtues passionless nurse the best of men he who has eyes to see this is the way there is no other that leads to the purifying of intelligence go on this way everything else is the deceit of Mara the tempter if you go on this way you will make an end of pain the way was preached by me when I had understood the removal of the thorns in the flesh you yourself must make an effort the tathagata's Buddha's are only preachers the thoughtful who enter the way are freed from the bondage of Mara all created things perish he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain this is the way to purity all created things are grief and pain he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain this is the way that leads to purity all forms are unreal he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain this is the way that leads to purity he who does not rouse himself when it is time to rise though young and strong is full of sloths whose will and thought are weak that's lazy and idle man will never find the way to knowledge watching his speech well restrained in mind let a man never commit any wrong with his body let a man but keep these three roads of action clear and he will achieve the way which is taught by the wise through zeal knowledge is gotten through lack of zeal knowledge is lost let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss thus place himself that knowledge may grow cut down the whole forest of lust not a tree only danger comes out of the forest of lust when you have cut down both the forest and its undergrowth then the shoes you will be rid of the forest and free so long as the love of man towards women even the smallest is not destroyed so long is his mind in bondage as the calf that drinks milk is to its mother cut out the love of self like an autumn Lotus with thy hand cherish the road of peace Nirvana has been shown by sugata Buddha here I shall dwell in the rain here in winter and summer thus The Fool meditates and does not think of his death death comes and carries off that man praised for his children and flocks his mind distracted as a flood carries off a sleeping village sons are no health nor a father nor relations there is no help from kins folk for one whom death has seized a wise and good man that knows the meaning of this should quickly clear the way that leads to nirvana through zeal knowledge is gotten through lack of zeal knowledge is lost let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss thus place himself that knowledge may grow cuts down the whole forest of lust not only a tree danger comes out of the forest of lust when you have cut down both the forest and its undergrowth then big shoes you will be rid of the forest and free so long as the love of man towards women even the smallest is not destroyed so long as his mind in bondage as the calf that drinks milk is to his mother cut out the love of self like an autumn Lotus with thy hand cherish the road of peace Nirvana has been shown by Sugata Buddha chapter 21 miscellaneous if by leaving a small pleasure one sees a great pleasure let a wise man leave the small pleasure and looked to the great he who by causing pain to others wishes to obtain pleasure for himself he entangled in the bonds of hatred will never be free from hatred what ought to be done is neglected what ought not to be done is done that his eyes of unruly thoughtless people are always increasing but they whose whole watchfulness is always directed to their body who do not follow what ought not to be done and who steadfastly do what ought to be done the desires of such watchful and wise people will come to an end a true brahmana goes scathe 'less though he have killed father and mother and two valiant kings though he has destroyed a kingdom with all its subjects a true brahmana go scalars though he have killed father and mother and two wholly kings and an eminent man besides the disciples of Gotama are always well awake and their thoughts day and night are always set on buddha the disciples of Gotama are always well awake and their thoughts day and night are always set on the law the disciples of Gotama are always well awake and their thoughts day and night are always set on the church the disciples of Gotama are always well awake and their thoughts day and night are always set on their body there sciples of Gotama are always well away and their minds day and night always delights in compassion the disciples of Gotama are always well awake and their mind day and night always delights in meditation it is hard to leave the world to become a friar it is hard to enjoy the world hard is the monastery painful are the houses painful it is to dwell with equals to share everything in common and the itinerant mendicant is beset with pain therefore let's no man be an itinerant mendicants and he will not be beset with pain whatever place a faithful virtuous celebrated and wealthy man chooses there he is respected good people shine from afar like the snowy mountains bad people are not seen like arrows shot at night he alone who without ceasing practices the duty of sitting alone and sleeping alone he subduing himself will rejoice in the destruction of all desires alone as if living in a forest chapter 22 the downward course he who says what is not goes to hell he also who having done a thing says I have not done it after death both are equal they are men with evil deeds in the next world many men whose shoulders are covered with the yellow gown are ill conditioned and unrestrained such evildoers by their evil deeds go to hell better it would be to swallow a heated iron ball like flaring fire than that a bad unrestrained fellow should live on the charity of the land for things does a reckless man gain who covets his neighbor's wife a bad reputation an uncomfortable bed thirdly punishment and lastly hell there is the bad reputation and the evil way to hell there is the short pleasure of the frightened in the arms of the frightened and the king imposes heavy punishments therefore let's no man think of his neighbor's wife as a grass blade if badly grasped cuts the arm badly practiced asceticism leads to hell and 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 man do it let him attack it vigorously a careless pilgrim only scatters the dust of his passions more widely an evil deed is better left undone for a man repents of it afterwards a good deed is better done for having done it one does not repent like a well-guarded frontier forts with defenses within and without so let a man guard himself 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 men 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 men 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 men embracing false doctrines enter the evil path they who know what is forbidden as forbidden and what is not forbidden as not forbidden such men embracing the true doctrine enter the good path 2:23 the elephant's silently shall I end your abuse as the elephant in battle injures the arrows sent from the bow for this world is ill-natured they lead a tamed elephant to battle the King mounts a tamed elephant the tamed is the best among men he who silently injures abuse mules are good if tamed and Noble sinned who horses and elephants with large tusks but he who tames himself is better still for with these animals does no man reach the untrodden country Nirvana where a tamed man goes on a tamed animal with a V on his own well tame self the elephant called Dona Palika his temples running with SAP and difficult to hold does not eat a morsel when bound the elephant longs for the elephant growth if a man becomes fat and a great eater if he is sleepy and rolls himself about that fool like a hog fed on wash is born again and again this mind of mine went formerly wandering about as it liked as it listed as it pleased but I shall now hold it in thoroughly as the rider who holds the hook holds in the Furious elephants be not thoughtless watch your thoughts draw yourself out of the evil way like an elephant sunk in mud if a man find a prudent companion who walks with him is wise and live soberly let him walk with him overcoming all dangers happy but considerate if a man find no prudent companion who walks with him is wise and live soberly let him 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 man walk alone let him commit no sin with few wishes like an elephant in the for 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 brahmana pleasant is virtue lasting to old age pleasant is a faith firmly rooted pleasant is attainment of intelligence pleasant is avoiding of sins chapter 24 first the first of a thoughtless man grows like a creeper he runs from life to life like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest whomsoever this fierce thirst overcomes full of poison in this world his sufferings will increase like the abounding barani grass he who overcomes this fierce thirst difficult to be conquered in this world sufferings fall off from him like water drops from a lotus leaf this salutary word I tell you do ye as many as are here assembled dig up the root of thirst as he who wants the sweet scented Asiri root must dig up the barani grass that Mara the tempter may not crush you again and again as the stream crushes the reeds as a tree even though it has been cut down his firm so long as its root is safe and grows again thus unless the feeders of thirst are destroyed the pain of life will return again and again he whose thirst running towards pleasure is exceeding strong in the 36 channels the waves will carry away that misguided man Vasavi his desires which are set on passion the channels run everywhere The Creeper of passion stands sprouting if you see the creeper springing up cut its roots by means of knowledge his pleasures are extravagant and luxurious sunk in lust and looking for pleasure men undergo again and again birth and decay men driven on by thirst run about like a snared hare held in fetters and bonds they undergo pain for a long time again and again men driven on by thirst run about like a snared hare let therefore the mendicant drive out thirst by striving after passionless nurse for himself he who having got rid of the forest of lust after having reached nirvana gives himself over to the forest life and lust and who when removed from the forest runs to the forest look at that man though free he runs into bondage wise people do not call that a strong fetter which is made of iron wood or hemp far stronger is the care for precious stones and rings for sons and a wife that fetter wise people call strong which drags down yields but is difficult to undo after having cut this at last people leave the world free from cares and leaving desires and pleasures behind those who are slaves to passions run down with the stream of desires as a spider runs down the web which he has made himself when they have cut this at last wise people leave the world free from cares leaving all affection behind give up what is before give up what is behind give up what is in the middle when thou goest to the other Shore of existence if thy mind is altogether free thou wilt not again enter into birth and decay if a man is tossed about by doubts full of strong passions and yearning only for what is delightful his thirst will grow more and more and he will indeed make his fetters strong if a man delights in quieting down and always reflecting dwells on what is not delightful the impurity of the body he certainly will remove nay he will cut the fetter of Mara he who has reached a consummation who does not tremble who is without thirst and without sin he has broken all the thorns of life this will be his last body he who is without thirst and without affection who understands the words and their interpretation who knows the order of letters those which are before and which are after he has received his last body he is called the great sage the great man I have conquered all I know all in all conditions of life I am free from taint I have left all and through the destruction of thirst I am free having learned myself whom shall I teach the gift of law exceeds all gifts the sweetness of law exceeds all sweetness the delight in the law the extinction of thirst overcomes all pain pleasures destroy the foolish if they look not for the other Shore the foolish by his thirst for pleasures destroys himself as if he were his own enemy the fields are damaged by weeds mankind is damaged by passion therefore a gift bestowed on the passionless brings great reward the fields are damaged by weeds mankind is damaged by hatred therefore a gift bestowed on those who do not hate brings great reward the fields are damaged by weeds mankind is damaged by vanity therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from vanity brings great reward the fields are damaged by weeds mankind is damaged by lust therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from lust brings great reward 25 for bhikshu mintakans restraint in the eye is good good is restraint in the ear in the nose restraint is good good is restraint in the tongue in the body restraint is good good is restraint in speech in thought restraint is good good is restraint in all things a bhikshu restrained in all things is freed from all pain he who controls his hand he who controls his feet he who controls his speech he who is well controlled he who delights in wordly who is collected who is solitary and content him they call big shoe the bhikshu who controls his mouth who speaks wisely in calmly who teaches the meaning and the law his word is sweet he who dwells in the law delights in the law meditates on the law follows the law that big shoe will never fall away from the true law let him not despise what he has received nor ever envy others a mendicant who envies others does not obtain peace of mind a big shoe who though he receives little does not despise what he has received even the gods will praise him if his life is pure and if he is not slothful he who never identifies himself with name and form and does not grieve over what is no more he is indeed called a big shoe the big shoe who acts with kindness who is calm in the doctrine of Buddha will reach the quiet place nirvana cessation of natural desires and happiness Oh you empty this boat if emptied it will go quickly having cut off passion and hatred thou wilt go to Nirvana cut off the five senses leave the five rise above the five a big shoe who has escaped from the five fetters he is called old Catina saved from the flood meditate o and be not heedless do not direct thy thought to what gives pleasure that thou mayst not for thy heedlessness have to swallow the iron ball in hell and that emmaus not cry out when burning this is pain without knowledge there is no meditation without meditation there is no knowledge he who has knowledge and meditation is near unto Nirvana a bhikshu who has entered his empty house and whose mind is tranquil fields are more than human delights when he sees the law clearly as soon as he is considered the origin and destruction of the elements of the body he finds happiness and joy which belong to those who know the immortal Nirvana and this is the beginning here for a wise bhikshu watchfulness over the senses contentedness restraint under the law keep noble friends whose life is pure and who are not slothful let him live in charity let him be perfect in his duties then in the fullness of delight he will make an end of suffering as the vesica plant sheds its withered flowers men should shed passion and hatred o ye who's the big shoe whose body and tongue and mind are quieted who is collected and has rejected the baits of the world he is cold quiet rouse thyself by thy self examine thyself by thy self thus self protected and attentive will thou live happily o Baku for self is the Lord of self self is the refuge of self therefore curb thyself as the merchant curbs a good horse the big shoe full of delight to his calm in the doctrine of Buddha will reach the quiet place nirvana cessation of natural desires and happiness he who even as a young big shoe applies himself to the doctrine of Buddha brightens up this world like the moon when free from clouds chapter 26 the brahmana our hat stop the stream valiantly drive away the desires o brahmana when you have understood the destruction of all that was made you will understand that which was not made if the brahmana has reached the other Shore in both laws in restraint and contemplation all bonds vanish from him who has obtained knowledge he for whom there is neither this Shan or that Shore nor both him the fearless and unshackled I call indeed a brahmana he who is thoughtful blameless settled dutiful without passions and who has attains the highest end him my call indeed the brahmana the Sun is bright by day the moon shines by night the warrior is bright in his Armour the brahmana is bright in his meditation but Buddha the awakened is bright with splendor day and night because a man is rid of evil therefore he is called brahmana because he walks quietly therefore he is called Samana because he has sent away his own impurities therefore he is called proud for a Gita a pilgrim no one should attack a brahmana thus no brahmana if attacked should let himself fly at his aggressor woe to him who strikes a brahmana more woe to him who flies at his aggressor its advantages a brahmana not a little if he holds his mind back from the pleasures of life when all wish to injure has vanished pain will cease him I call indeed a brahmana who does not offend by body word or thought and is controlled on these three points after a man has once understood the law as taught by the well awakened Buddha let him worship it carefully as the Ramana worships the sacrificial fire a man does not become a brahmana by his plaited hair by his family or by birth in whom there is truth and righteousness he is blessed he is a brahmana what is the use of plaited hair full what of the raiment of goat skins within the there is ravening but the outside thou makest clean the man who wears dirty Ramon's who is emaciated and covered with veins who lives alone in the forest and meditates him I call indeed brahmana I do not call the man a brahmana because of his origin or of his mother he is indeed arrogant and he is wealthy but the poor who is free from all attachments him my call indeed a brahmana he Michael indeed a brahmana who has cut all fetters who never trembles is independent and unshackled him Michael indeed a brahmana who has cut the strap and the thong the chain with all that pertains to it who has burst the bar and is awakened him Michael indeed a brahmana who though he has committed no offense indoors reproach bonds and stripes who has endurance for his force and strength for his army him I call indeed a brahmana who is free from anger dutiful virtuous without appetite who is subdued and has received his last body him I call indeed a brahmana who does not cling to pleasures like water on a lotus leaf like a mustard seed on the point of a needle him I call indeed a Ramana who even though he knows the end of his suffering has put down his burden and is unshackled him Michael indeed a brahmana whose knowledge is deep who possesses wisdom who knows the right way and the wrong and has attains the highest end him Michael indeed a brahmana who keeps aloof both from laymen and mendicants who frequents no houses and has but few desires him I call indeed a brahmana who finds no fault with other beings whether feeble or strong and does not kill nor cause slaughter him my call indeed a brahmana from whom anger and hatred pride and envy have dropped like a mustard seed from the point of a needle him I call indeed a brahmana who utters true speech instructive and free from harshness so that he offends no one him my call indeed a brahmana who takes nothing in the world that is not given to him be it long or short small or large good or bad him I call indeed a brahmana who fosters no desires for this world or for the next has no inclinations and is unshackled him my call indeed a Ramana who has no interests and when he has understood the truth does not say how how and who has reached the depth of the immortal him my call indeed a brahmana who in this world is above good and evil above the bondage of both free from grief from sin and from impurity him I call indeed a brahmana who is bright like the moon pure serene undisturbed and in whom all gaiety is extinct him my call indeed a brahmana who has traversed this mire erode the impassable world and its vanity who has gone through and reached the other Shore his thoughtful guileless free from doubts free from attachment and content him my call indeed a brahmana who in this world leaving all desires travels about without a home and in whom all concupiscence is extinct him I call indeed a Romana who leaving all longings travels about without a home and in whom all covetousness is extinct him I call indeed a brahmana who after leaving all bondage to men has risen above all bondage to the gods and is free from all and every bondage him I call indeed a brahmana who has left what gives pleasure and what gives pain who is cold and free from all germs of renewed life the hero who has conquered all the worlds him I call indeed a brahmana who knows the destruction and the return of beings everywhere who is free from bondage well faring and awakened him I call indeed a brahmana whose path for gods do not know nor spirits nor men whose passions are extinct and who is and our hands venerable him I call indeed a Ramana who calls nothing his own whether it be before behind or between who is poor and free from the love of the world him I call indeed a brahmana the manly the noble the hero the great sage the Conqueror the impossible the accomplished the awakened him I call indeed a brahmana who knows his former abodes who sees heaven and hell has reached the end of births is perfect in knowledge a sage and whose perfections are all perfect you

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Keywords: on wisdom and retirement, Seneca, retirement, Stoicism, stoical, stoic, Letters from a stoic, tim ferriss, morality, on the shortness of life, philosophy, Ancient Philosophy, roman philosophy, Lucilius, Letters to Lucilius, Tao of Seneca, Tao, Moral letters to lucilius, Senica, stoicism 101, stoic philosophy, seneca the younger (author), roman empire, self improvement, vox stoica, robin homer

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Length: 83min 40sec (5020 seconds)

Published: Tue Jan 28 2020