Dhammapada
The Path of Dhamma
VIII. Sahassavagga: Thousands (100-115)
By Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.
[100] Better
than if there were thousands
of meaningless words is
one
meaningful
word
that on hearing
brings peace.
[101] Better
than if there were thousands
of meaningless verses is
one
meaningful
verse
that on hearing
brings peace.
[102] And better than chanting hundreds
of meaningless verses is
one
Dhamma-saying
that on hearing
brings peace.
[103] Greater in battle
than the man who would conquer
a thousand-thousand men,
is he who would conquer
just one --
himself.
[104] Better to conquer yourself
than others.
When you've trained yourself,
living in constant self-control,
neither a deva nor gandhabba,
nor a Mara banded with Brahmas,
could turn that triumph
back into defeat.
[105-106] You could, month by month,
at a cost of thousands,
conduct sacrifices
a hundred times,
or
pay a single moment's homage
to one person,
self-cultivated.
Better than a hundred years of sacrifices
would that act of homage be.
[107] You could, for a hundred years,
live in a forest
tending a fire,
or
pay a single moment's homage
to one person,
self-cultivated.
Better than a hundred years of sacrifices
would that act of homage be.
[108] Everything offered
or sacrificed in the world
for an entire year by one seeking merit
doesn't come to a fourth.
Better to pay respect
to those who've gone
the straight way.
[109] If you're respectful by habit,
constantly honoring the worthy,
four things increase:
long life, beauty,
happiness, strength.
[110] Better than a hundred years
lived without virtue, uncentered, is
one day
lived by a virtuous person
absorbed in jhāna.
[111] And better than a hundred years
lived undiscerning, uncentered, is
one day
lived by a discerning person
absorbed in jhāna.
[112] And better than a hundred years
lived apathetic and unenergetic, is
one day
lived energetic and firm.
[113] And better than a hundred years
lived without seeing
arising and passing away, is
one day
lived seeing
arising and passing away.
[114] And better than a hundred years
lived without seeing
the Deathless state, is
one day
lived seeing
the Deathless state.
[115] And better than a hundred years
lived without seeing
the ultimate Dhamma, is
one day
lived seeing
the ultimate Dhamma.
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