The third chapter of Dhammapada expounds upon the subject of mind. The verses talk in great detail about the characteristics of mind - how wavering the mind is, how difficult it is to control the mind. It further explains the benefits of a controlled mind and the handicaps of an ill-controlled mind.
There are 11 verses in Chapter 3.
Verse 33:
Quivering, Wavering, hard to guard,
hold in check: the mind.
The sages makes it straight -
like a fletcher, the shaft an arrow.
Like a fish pulled from its home in the water
and thrown on land:
this mind flips and flaps about
to escape Mara's sway.
Hard to hold down, nimble,
alighting wherever it likes: the mind
Its taming is good.
The mind well tamed brings ease.
So hard to see, so very very subtle,
alighting wherever it likes: the mind.
The wise should guard it.
The mind protected brings ease.
Wandering far, going alone,
bodiless, lying in a cave: the mind.
Those who restrain it: from Mara's bond,
they will be freed.
For a person of unsteady mind,
not knowing true Dhamma,
serenity, set adrift:
discernment doesn't grow full.
For a person of unsoddened mind,
unassaulted awareness
abandoning merit and evil, wakeful,
there is no danger, no fear.
Knowing this body is like a clay jar,
securing this mind like a fort,
attack Mara with the spear of discernment,
then guard what's won,
without settling there,
without laying claim.
All too soon, this body,
will lie on the ground, cast off,
bereft of consciousness,
like a useless scrap of wood.
Verse 42:
Whatever an enemy might do
to an enemy,
or a foe to a foe,
the ill-directed mind
can do you the worse.
Whatever a mother, father,
or other kinsman,
might do for you,
the well-directed mind,
can do for you even better.
Chapter 4 will be continued in the next post.
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