Selections from The Dhammapada – Chapters 5-8, Part 2 of 2

Dhammapada means “Words of Doctrine” or “Way of Truth” in Pali. The objective of the text is to guide one in leading a spiritual life by firstly attaining happiness in this life or in the future lives, and subsequently achieving spiritual liberation, freedom, and absolute peace.

Chapter 7: The Wise

Verse 90 “For him (an arahat, who has gained insight into the True Nature of existence and has achieved Nirvana) whose journey (round of rebirths) is ended, who is free from sorrow and from all, who has destroyed all fetters, there is no more distress.”

Verse 94 “The arahat whose sense-faculties are calm, who is free from pride and moral intoxicants – such an arahat is held dear even by the devas.”

Verse 95 “Like the Earth, the arahat is patient and is not provoked to respond in anger; like the door-post he is firm; he is unperturbed by the ups and downs of life; he is serene and pure like a lake free from mud. For such an arahat there will be no more rebirth.”

Verse 96 “An arahat is calm in his mind, calm in his speech, and also in his deed; truly knowing the Dharma, such an arahat is free from moral defilements and is unperturbed by the ups and downs of life.”

Verse 97 “He who is not credulous, who has realized the Unconditioned (Nirvana), who has cut off the links of the round of rebirths, who has destroyed all consequences of good and bad deeds, who has discarded all craving, is indeed the noblest of all men.”

Verse 98 “In a village or in a forest, in a valley or on a hill, wherever arahats dwell, that place is delightful.”

Verse 99 “Forests are delightful, but the worldlings find no delight in them; only those who are free from passion will find delight in them, for they do not seek sensual pleasures.”

Chapter 8: Thousands

Verse 102-103 “Better than the recitation of a hundred verses that are senseless and unconnected with the realization of Nirvana, is the recitation of a single verse of the teaching (Dharma), if on hearing it one is calmed. A man may conquer a million men in battle, but one who conquers himself is the greatest of conquerors.”

Verses 104-105 “It is better indeed, to conquer oneself than to conquer others. Neither a deva, nor a gandhabba, nor mara together with Brahma can turn into defeat the victory of the man who controls himself.”

Verse 110-115 “Better than a hundred years in the life of an immoral person who has no control over his senses, is a day in the life of a virtuous person who cultivates Tranquility and Insight Development Practice. Better than a hundred years in the life of an ignorant person, who has no control over his senses, is a day in the life of a wise man who cultivates Tranquillity and Insight Development Practice. Better than a hundred years in the life of a person who is idle and inactive, is a day in the life of one who makes a zealous and strenuous effort (in Tranquility and Insight Development Practice). Better than a hundred years in the life of a person who does not perceive the arising and the dissolving of the five aggregates, is a day in the life of one who perceives the arising and dissolving of the five aggregates. Better than a hundred years in the life of a person who does not perceive the deathless (Nirvana), is a day in the life of one who perceives the deathless (Nirvana). Better than a hundred years in the life of a person who does not comprehend the Noble Dharma, is a day in the life of one who comprehends the Noble Dharma.”