Dhammapada 21
Minor Collection
Sayings of the Dhamma 290–305
21. Miscellaneous
290 If by giving up material happiness
one sees abundant happiness,
the attentive would give up material happiness,
seeing the abundant happiness.
291 Seeking their own happiness
by imposing suffering on others,
intimate with enmity,
they’re not freed from enmity.
292 They dump what should be done,
and do what should not be done.
For the insolent and the negligent,
their defilements only grow.
293 Those that have properly undertaken
constant mindfulness of the body,
don’t cultivate what should not be done,
but always do what should be done.
Mindful and aware,
their defilements come to an end.
294 Having slain mother and father,
and two aristocratic kings,
and having wiped out
the kingdom with its tax collector,
the brahmin walks on untroubled.
295 Having slain mother and father,
and two prosperous kings,
and a tiger as the fifth,
the brahmin walks on untroubled.
296 The disciples of Gotama
always wake up refreshed,
who day and night
constantly recollect the Buddha.
297 The disciples of Gotama
always wake up refreshed,
who day and night
constantly recollect the teaching.
298 The disciples of Gotama
always wake up refreshed,
who day and night
constantly recollect the Saṅgha.
299 The disciples of Gotama
always wake up refreshed,
who day and night
are constantly mindful of the body.
300 The disciples of Gotama
always wake up refreshed,
whose minds day and night
delight in harmlessness.
301 The disciples of Gotama
always wake up refreshed,
whose minds day and night
delight in meditation.
302 Going forth is hard, it’s hard to be happy;
life at home is hard too, and painful,
it’s painful to stay when you’ve nothing in common.
A traveler is a prey to pain,
so don’t be a traveler,
don’t be prey to pain.
303 One who is faithful, accomplished in ethics,
blessed with fame and wealth,
is honored in whatever place
they frequent.
304 The good shine from afar,
like the Himalayan peaks,
but the wicked are not seen,
like arrows scattered in the night.
305 Sitting alone, sleeping alone,
tirelessly wandering alone;
one who tames themselves alone
would delight within a forest.