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1
All states of being are determined by mind.
It is mind that leads the way.
Just as the wheel of the oxcart follows
the hoof print of the animal that draws it,
so suffering will surely follow
when we speak or act impulsively
from an impure state of mind.
2
All states of being are determined by mind.
It is mind that leads the way.
As surely as our shadow never leaves us,
so well-being will follow
when we speak or act
with a pure state of mind.
3
When we hold fast to such thoughts as,
“They abused me, mistreated me,
molested me, robbed me,”
we keep hatred alive.
4
If we thoroughly release ourselves
from such thoughts as,
“They abused me, mistreated me,
molested me, robbed me,”
hatred is vanquished.
5
Never by hatred is hatred conquered,
but by readiness to love alone.
This is eternal law.
6
Those who are contentious
have forgotten that we all die;
for the wise, who reflect on this fact,
there are no quarrels.
7
As a stormy wind can uproot a frail tree
so one who holds heedlessly to pleasure,
who indulges in food and is indolent,
can be uprooted by Mara.
8
As a stormy wind
cannot move a mountain of rock
so one who contemplates
the reality of the body,
who develops faith and energy,
is unmoved by Mara.
9
Wearing the robe of a renunciate
does not in itself render one pure.
Those who wear it, and yet lack diligence,
are heedless.
10
Being possessed of self-restraint,
honest and diligent in conduct;
such a one is worthy
of the renunciate’s robe.
11
Mistaking the false for the real
and the real for the false,
one suffers a life of falsity.
12
But, seeing the false as the false
and the real as the real,
one lives in the perfectly real.
13
Like rain leaking through
a poorly-thatched roof,
the unruly passions
seep into an untamed heart.
14
As rain cannot penetrate
a well-thatched roof,
so the passions
cannot enter a well-trained heart.
15
When we see clearly
our own lack of virtue
we are filled with grief;
here and hereafter we grieve.
16
When we appreciate fully
the benefit of our own pure deeds
we are filled with joy;
here and hereafter
there is a celebration of joy.
17
Here and hereafter
those who perform evil
create their own suffering.
Mental preoccupation
with the thought, “ I have done wrong”
possesses their minds,
and they fall into chaos.
18
Here and hereafter
those who live their lives well
abide in happiness.
They are filled
with a natural appreciation of virtue,
and they dwell in delight.
19
Though one may know
much about Dhamma,
if one does not live accordingly –
like a cowherd
who covets another’s cattle –
one experiences none of the benefits
of walking the Way.
20
Knowing only a little about Dhamma
but wholeheartedly according with it,
transforming the passions
of greed, hatred and delusion,
releasing all attachments
to here and hereafter,
one will indeed experience for oneself
the benefits of walking the Way.
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© 2006 Aruna Publications |