Dhammapada - Chapter 1 - Pairs

The first chapter of the Dhammapada consists a collection of twin verses. There are 20 verses in this chapter. Each verse is a gem. In a comparative way, Buddha's thoughts have been illustrated beautifully in simple words that even a layman can understand.

One of my favorites in this chapter is: 

As rain seeps into an ill thatched hut,

so passion, the undeveloped mind.

As rain doesn't seep into a well thatched hut,

so passion does not, the well developed mind.

The significance of a controlled mind is stressed and presented here in such a lucid manner. Passion being a big hurdle in the path of spirituality should be avoided completely.

Mere reading of spiritual teachings is not going to help us in ascending in the spiritual path. One has to follow the teaching in a dedicated manner. This thought is expressed in one of the verses.

If he recites many teachings, but - heedless man-

doesn't do what they say,

like a cowherd counting the cattle of others

he has no share in the contemplative life.

If he recites next to nothing but follows the Dhamma,

in line with the Dhamma,

abandoning passion, aversion, delusion;

alert, his mind well-released,

not clinging either here or hereafter;

he has his share in the contemplative world.

The 20 verses in this chapter as below:

Verse 1-2

Phenomena are preceded by the heart,

ruled by the heart,

made by the heart,

If you speak or act with a corrupted heart,

then suffering follows you -

as the wheel of the cart,

the tract of the ox that pulls it

Phenomena are preceded by the heart,

ruled by the heart,

made by the heart,

If you speak of act with a calm, bright heart,

then happiness follow you,

like a shadow

that never leaves.

Verse 3-6

"He insulted me, hit me, beat me, robbed me"-

for those who brood on this,

hostility isn't stilled.

"He insulted me, hit me, beat me, robbed me"-

for those who do not brood on this,

hostility is stilled.

Hostilities aren't stilled through hostility, regardless. 

Hostilities are stilled through non-hostility :

this, an unending truth.

Unlike those who do not realize that

we are on the verge of perishing

those you do: their quarrels are stilled.

Verse 7 - 8

One who stays focused on the beautiful,

is unrestrained with the senses,

knowing no moderation in food,

apathetic, unenergetic:

Mara overcomes him

as the wind, a weak tree.

One who stays focused on the foul,

is restrained with regards to the senses,

knowing moderation in food,

full of conviction and energy:

Mara does not overcome him

as the wind, a mountain of rock.

Verse 9 - 10

He who depraved, devoid of truthfulness

and self control,

puts on the ochre robe,

doesn't deserve the ochre robe.

But he who is free of depravity,

endowed with truthfulness and self control,

well established in the precepts,

truly deserves the ochre robe. 

Verse 11 - 12

Those who regard non-essence as essence

and see essence as non-

don't get to the essence,

ranging about in wrong resolves.

But those who know essence as essence

and non essence as non-

get to the essence,

ranging about the right resolves.

Verse 13 - 14

As rain seeps into an ill thatched hut,

so passion, the undeveloped mind.

As rain doesn't seep into a well thatched hut,

so passion does not, the well developed mind.

Verse 15 - 18

Here he grieves, he grieves hereafter.

In both worlds the wrong doer grieves.

He grieves, he's afflicted,

seeing the corruption of his deeds.

Here he rejoices, he rejoices hereafter.

In both worlds, the merit maker rejoices.

He rejoices, is jubilant,

seeing the purity of his deeds.

Here he's tormented, he is tormented hereafter.

In both worlds, the wrong doer is tormented.

He is tormented at the thought, 

"I've done wrong."

Having gone to a bad destination, he is tormented all the more.

Here he delights, he is delighted hereafter.

In both worlds, the merit maker delights.

He delights at the thought, "I've made merit."

Having gone to a good destination, he delights all the more.

Verse 19 - 20

If he recites many teachings, but - heedless man-

doesn't do what they say,

like a cowherd counting the cattle of others

he has no share in the contemplative life.

If he recites next to nothing but follows the Dhamma,

in line with the Dhamma,

abandoning passion, aversion, delusion;

alert, his mind well-released,

not clinging either here or hereafter;

he has his share in the contemplative world.

Chapter 2 to be continued in the next blog post.

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