The Buddha's Path of Virtue Part 10

He who applies his mind unworthily, Neglecting discipline, Forsakes the goal and clings to things beloved, Then envies those to meditation given.

210.

Join not thyself to things beloved or loathed.

To lack dear company, To be with those we loathe, brings misery.

211.

Seek not for love; things loved when lost bring woe; Both are impermanent.

They have no bonds who dwell indifferent.

212.

Sorrow and fear are born of things beloved.

From things beloved set free, How canst thou sorrow? fearful how canst be?

213.

From things held dear, sorrow and fear are born.

Set free from things held dear, How canst thou sorrow have? how canst have fear?

214.

Sorrow and fear are children born of pleasure.

No longer pleasure's slave, How canst thou sorrow, fear how canst thou have?

215.

Sorrow and fear are children of desire.

From all desire set free, How canst thou sorrow? fearful how canst be?

216.

Sorrow and fear are things of longing born.

From longing if thou part, Thou hast no fear nor sorrow in thine heart.

217.

Upright and Norm-abiding, speaking truth, Who minds his own affair,[1]

That is the man whom every one holds dear.

218.

In whom is longing for the Nameless[2] born, Whose mind It hath enthralled, Whose thoughts no longer are by pa.s.sion torn, That man "a Climber of the Stream" is called.[3]

219.

As when a dweller in some far-off land Safe home returns at last, Kin, friends and lovers waiting to greet him stand;

220.

So, when a man on earth good deeds hath done, When he hath pa.s.sed beyond, All his good deeds like kin, await that one.

[1] _Attano kamma kubbanam_, as in v. 166. Attends to his own spiritual progress without dictating to others how they should forward their evolution.

[2] "The unborn, uncreate, undeclared" state of _Nibbana_.

[3] _Uddhamsoto._ (Skt. _Urdhamsrotas_) a name for the _anagamin_ "non-returner."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

ANGER.

221.

Conquer anger, banish pride; Every fetter cast aside;[1]

Clinging not to Name and Form,[2]

Him who calleth nought his own Sorrow never shall betide.

222.

He who rising wrath restrains, As one checks a whirling team, Him a driver true I deem; Others only hold the reins.

223.

Wrath with kindliness allay, To the stingy freely give; Conquer lying words with truth; Evil deeds with good repay.

224.

Speak the truth nor vexed be; Give, however scantily.

Following these maxims three, Thou the blessed G.o.ds shalt see.

225.

Sages harm no living thing; Self-restraint accomplishing Such men reach the Deathless Lot,[3]

Where all sorrow is forgot.

226.

Ever watchful, night and day Learning wisdom never cease; In the one who strives for Peace[4]

All the cravings die away.[5]

227.

There is a saying, Atula, Of old, not of to-day: "They blame the man who silent sits, Or whose tongue wags alway; And blame the man who keeps the mean; None in the world is blameless seen."

228.

There never was, nor will be, sure, Nor lives now among men, A being blamed exclusively, Nor one entirely praised.

229-30.

But one whom men of wisdom praise, Watching him day by day, Of faultless life, of holy ways, Thoughtful and wise, like Jambu gold,[6]

Who to blame such a saint is bold?

Neither the G.o.ds, nor e'en Brahma, From him their praise withhold.

231.

'Gainst angry deeds be on thy guard; In body be composed; All bodily misdeeds discard; With body tread the Way.

232. 'Gainst angry words be on thy guard; In speech be thou composed; All wrongful ways of speech discard; In speech follow the Way.

233. 'Gainst angry thoughts be on thy guard; In thought be thou composed; All wrongful ways of thought discard; In thoughts follow the Way.

234.