Leader
Mind is
the forerunner of all evil states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If a
person speaks or acts with a wicked mind, suffering follows him like the
cart-wheels follow the hoofs of the ox that draws the
cart.
Answer
Mind is
the forerunner of all good states. Mind is chief; mind-made are they. If a
person speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him, like a shadow
that never leaves him.
Leader
“He
abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me.” In those who do not
harbour such thoughts, hatred will cease.
Answer
For
hatred is not overcome by hatred, hatred is overcome by love. This is an eternal
rule.
Leader
Those who
mistake false for true, and true for false, their abode is wrong-mindedness -
they cannot arrive at the Truth.
Answer
Those who
know true as true, and false as false, their abode is right-mindedness - they
can arrive at the Truth.
Leader
As rain
gets into an ill-thatched house, so lust gets into an ill-trained
mind.
Answer
As rain
does not get into a well-thatched house, so lust does not get into a well
trained mind.
Leader
Heedfulness is the path to the deathless. Heedlessness is the path to
death.
Answer
The
heedful do not die. The heedless are as if dead
already.
Leader
Having
understood this clearly, those who are advanced in heedfulness, delight in
heedfulness, and rejoice in the attainment of Truth.
Answer
These
wise people - meditative, steady, always possessed of strong powers - attain to
Nibbana, the highest happiness.
Leader
If a
heedful person is energetic, mindful, pure in deed, considerate,
self-controlled, right living, then his glory will steadily
increase.
Answer
By
sustained effort, earnestness, discipline, and self-control, the wise person
makes for himself an island which no flood can
overwhelm.
Leader
Heedful
among the heedless, wide awake among the sleepers, the wise person advances like
a swift horse, leaving the old horses behind.
Answer
I go the
Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for
refuge.
Leader
This is
the Dhammapada, the way of Truth, practiced by those who are followers of the
Buddha.
Answer
Good
people shine from afar like the snow mountains. Bad people, though near, are
concealed like arrows shot by night.
Leader
If a
person caused pain to others, wishes to obtain pleasure for himself, he
entangled in the bonds of selfishness, will never be free from
hatred.
Answer
Let a
person overcome anger by love. Let him overcome evil by
good.
Leader
Speak the
truth, do not yield to anger; when asked, you should give though there be
little. By these three virtues, you will become divine.
Answer
Let a
person remove his own impurities, as a smith removes the impurities of silver,
one by one, little by little.
Leader
Lead
others, not by violence, but by righteousness and
justice.
Answer
There is
no fear in the awakened person, whose mind is free from craving, done alike with
good and with evil.
Leader Long is the night to him who is awake. Long is life to those ignorant of the Truth.
Answer
Better
than living a hundred years, is one day in the life of a person who sees the
highest Truth.
Leader
Better
than living a hundred years, is one day in the life of a person who sees the
highest Truth.
Answer
Though
one should conquer thousands upon thousands of men in battle, yet he who has
conquered himself is the greatest of all conquerors.
Leader
The best
of ways is the Eightfold Path. There is none other that brings to Perfect
Peace.
Answer
The gift
of Truth excels all gifts. The sweetness of Truth excels all
sweetness.
Leader
As a pure
lotus grows upon a heap of rubbish, so the follower of the Buddha outshines in
wisdom among those who walk in darkness.
Answer
I go to
the Buddha for refuge. I go the Dhamma for refuge. I go the Sangha for
refuge.
Leader
After
having learnt the Doctrine, let your purified heart find delight in performing
what is good.
Answer
Generosity, courtesy, loving kindness and unselfishness - these are to
the world what the linchpin is to the chariot.
Leader
The good
things of this world pass away, but the treasures earned through righteous
living do not perish and never pass away.
Answer
He who is
compassionate is everywhere beloved. By the kind and good, he is prized as a
friend; and at death, his heart is full of peace.
Leader
To cease
from evil; to keep it far away from one; to shun intoxicating liquors; to listen
carefully to the teaching - these are great blessings.
Answer
By
yourself must the effort be made: the Tathagatas only make known the Way. Those
devoted to meditation arrive at the release from the bonds of
ignorance.
Leader
As he
instructs others, so should he himself act. With himself fully controlled, he
controls others. Oneself, indeed, is hard to control.
Answer
Oneself,
indeed, is one’s saviour, for what other saviour could there be? With oneself
well controlled, one obtains a saviour who is hard to
find.
Leader
If by
giving up a lesser happiness, one may behold a greater one, let the wise person
give up the lesser happiness in consideration of the greater
happiness.
Answer
He who
wishes to gain happiness by causing pain to others is not released from hatred,
being himself entangled in hatred.
Leader
Even if a
person has power over others yet he ought to be gentle with the
weak.
Answer
With a
pure heart full of love, one should act towards others exactly as one would
towards oneself.
Leader
Courtesy
is the most precious of jewels. Beauty without courtesy is like a garden without
flowers.
Answer
The marks
of true teachings are goodwill, love, truthfulness, purity, nobility and
goodness.
Leader
Best of
paths is the Eightfold Path. Best of truths are the Four Noble Truths. Best of
states is non-attachment. Best of men is the Seeing
One.
Answer
I go to
the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for
refuge.
Leader
The
ignorant have themselves as their greatest enemies, for they do evil deeds which
must bear bitter fruit.
Answer
As long
as the evil deed has not fruition, the ignorant think it is like honey. But when
it ripens, then they suffer grief.
Leader
Even if
an ignorant person be associated with wise person all his life, he will
understand the truth as little as a spoon tastes the flavor of
soup.
Answer
If an
intelligent person be associated for only one minute with a wise person, he will
understand the truth as the tongue tastes the flavour of
soup.
Leader
The
disciples of the Buddha are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night
are always set on the Buddha.
Answer
The
disciples of the Buddha are always well awake, and their thoughts, day and night
are always set on the Teaching.
Leader
The
disciples of the Buddha are always well awake, and their thoughts, day and night
are always set on the Sangha.
Answer
Neither
readiness in speech nor a handsome appearance gives grace to a person who is
envious, greedy and false.
Leader
Guard
against misdeeds caused by the mind, and control the mind. Give up evil conduct
in the mind and practice virtue with the mind.
Answer
The wise
who control their body, who control their tongue; the wise who control their
mind, are indeed well controlled.
Leader
When rust
appears upon iron, even by that is the iron eaten away. In like manner, a
person’s own evil deeds lead him off to states of woe.
Answer
Better
than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven, better than
lordship over all worlds is the fruit of a stream-winner (the first stage of
sainthood).
Leader
All the
Buddhas teach the same Truth. They point out the path to those who go
astray.
Answer
To cease
from evil, to cultivate the good, to purify one’s mind. This is the advice of
all the Buddhas.
Leader
Happy is
the arising of the Buddhas. Happy is the teaching of the sublime Dhamma. Happy
is the unity of the Sangha. Happy is the discipline of the united
ones.
Answer
I go to
the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for
refuge.
Leader
Let each
person establish himself first to what is proper, then let him teach others.
Thus a wise person will not defiled.
Answer
Not in
the sky, nor in mid-ocean, nor in a mountain cave, is there a place on earth
where one could stay to escape from the fruits of one’s evil
deeds.
Leader
Do not
disregard evil, saying, “It will not come to me.” By drops of falling water is a
jar gradually filled. Likewise, the foolish person fills himself with evil,
little by little.
Answer
From
greed come grief, from greed comes fear. He who is free from greed knows neither
grief nor fear.
Leader
He who
has gone for refuge to the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha, and with clear
understanding sees the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path - he has
taken the safe refuge, the Supreme refuge. By seeking such a refuge, he is
delivered from all suffering.
Answer
He who is
perfect in virtue, established in the Dhamma, has realized the Truths, and
fulfills his own duties - he is beloved by the world.
Leader
The fault
of others is easily seen, but one’s own fault is difficult to
see.
Answer
If a
person looks for the fault of others, and is ever irritable, his own passion
will grow. He is far from the destruction of passions.
Leader
A person
is not called wise cause he talks much. But he who is patient, thoughtful, free
from hatred and fear, he is called wise.
Answer
He who
speaks much is not a person well versed in the Dhamma. But he who hears the
Dhamma and practices what he has learnt is one who knows the
Dhamma.
Leader
A person
will never be accomplished, even though fair in complexion or good in speech, if
he is greedy, envious and deceitful.
Answer
He in
whom all these defilement are cut off, uprooted and extinct, and who is free
from hatred, is one who is called accomplished.
Leader
If a
person is tossed about by evil thoughts, full of strong passions, and yearning
only for what is pleasurable, his craving will grow more and more. He will
indeed make his fetters strong.
Answer
The
craving of a heedless person grows like a creeper. He runs from life to life,
like a monkey seeking fruit in the forest.
Leader
For him
who overcomes this fierce craving, which is difficult to conquer in this world,
his sufferings fall off from him, like water slips from a lotus
leaf.
Answer
I go to
the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for
refuge.
Leader
It is
good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold on and flighty, wandering
wherever it wishes. A tamed mind brings happiness.
Answer
Let the
wise person guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive, extremely
subtle, wandering wherever they wish. A well-guarded mind brings
happiness.
Leader
If a
person’s mind is not steadfast, if he does not know the true doctrine, if his
faith wavers, his wisdom will never be perfect.
Answer
If a
person’s mind is not soaked in lust, if he is unaffected by hatred, if he has
transcended good and evil, for such a watchful one, there is no
fear.
Leader
Like a
beautiful flower, full of colour but without scent, are the fine but fruitless
words of him who does not act accordingly.
Answer
Like a
beautiful flower, full of colour and full of scent, are the fine and fruitful
words of him who acts accordingly.
Leader
If you
see a person who shows you what is to be avoided, who corrects you, and is
intelligent, follow that wise person as one who tells you of hidden
treasures.
Answer
Let him
advise, let him teach, let him dissuade one from evil. He will be beloved by the
good; by the bad, he will be disliked.
Leader
As a
solid rock is not shaken by the wind, wise people remain unshaken amidst blame
and praise.
Answer
Wise
people, after listening to the Teaching, become serene like a deep, clear and
still lake.
Leader
Few are
they among people who cross over to the further shore. Others run up and down
the nearer shore.
Answer
Those who
follow the Dhamma, which is well taught, will pass over the dominion of death
and reach Nibbana, so difficult to cross.
Leader
He who
has no wound on his hand may touch poison with his hand; poison does not affect
one who has no wound. There is no danger for one who does not commit
evil.
Answer
If he
offends a harmless, pure and innocent person, evil falls back upon him, like
fine dust thrown up against the wind.
Leader
Let no
one neglect his own welfare for the sake of others, however great. Clearly
perceiving his own duty, let him always be attentive to his own
goal.
Answer
I go to
the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for
refuge.
Leader
The
person of restless mind, of passions fierce, with eyes only for the pleasing -
craving in him grows great. He forges a heavy chain.
Answer
The one
who takes delight in the stilling of thought, who lets his mind dwell on the
unpleasant, by this will he cut through and destroy
ignorance.
Leader
Should
you find a good companion to walk with and who is steadfast and upright, you
should walk with him with joy so as to overcome all
dangers.
Answer
If no
such companion is found, it is better to travel alone like a king who has left
his kingdom, or an elephant which has left its
companions.
Leader
Take
delight in heedfulness. Guard your mind well. Draw yourself out of the evil way,
just as the elephant sunk in the mud draws himself out.
Answer
Arise! Do
not be negligent! Walk the Good Way of Dhamma! He who walks in the Way of Dhamma
will be happy in this and in all other worlds.
Leader
He who is
ever respectful to the elders, four blessings grow in him - long life, beauty,
happiness and health.
Answer
Better
than a hundred years lived foolishly and without control, is a single day lived
wisely and meditative.
Leader
Irrigators conduct water where they will, Fletchers shape the arrow.
Carpenters bend the wood to their will. The wise discipline
themselves
Answer
Should a
person perform a good action, he should do it again and again: he should find
happiness in this. Blissful is the accumulation of
merit.
Leader
Far
surpassing the fragrance of sandalwood, or incense, or lotus, or jasmine, is the
fragrance of virtue.
Answer
The
fragrance of flowers, or sandalwood, or incense, or jasmine, is not wafted
against the wind, but the fragrance of the good person is wafted against the
wind. The good person diffuses fragrance in all
directions.
Leader
A person
who harms living beings is not a noble one (ariya). Through harmless deeds
towards all living being is he considered a noble one.
Answer
Not by
birth does one become a high cast; not by birth does one become a low caste. By
deeds one becomes a low caste.
Leader
Not
because a person has much to say is he a supporter of the Dhamma. He who may
have heard little of the Dhamma but observes it well, is in deed, the supporter
of the Dhamma. He is not heedless of the Dhamma.
Answer
I go to
the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for
refuge.
Leader
As a
fletcher straightens his arrow, a wise person straightens his fickle and
unsteady thoughts, which are difficult to guard and
guide.
Answer
Hard to
control is the mind, unstable and ever in quest of delight. A controlled mind
brings happiness.
Leader
Do not
associate with evil friends; do not associate with mean people. Associate with
good friends; associate with noble people.
Answer
He who
practices the Dhamma abides in happiness with a peaceful mind. The wise person
delights in the Dhamma revealed by the Noble Ones.
Leader
He who
controls his anger when aroused is like a skillful driver controlling a fast
carriage. Others without control over anger are like those who merely hold the
reins.
Answer
Conquer
the angry person with love. Conquer the ill-natured person with goodness.
Conquer the miser with generosity. Conquer the liar with
truth.
Leader
He whose
senses are mastered as well trained horsed under a charioteer, who has destroyed
pride and overcome defilement, is held dear, even by the
goods.
Answer
One who
is free from all credulity, who understands Nibbana, who has cut off the links
and overcome desire, he is a supreme man.
Leader
All
tremble at the rod. Life is dear to all. Comparing others with oneself, one
should neither strike nor cause a strike.
Answer
He who
seek happiness through hurting others, cannot find happiness for
himself.
Leader
There is
no fire like lust, no grip like hate, no net like delusion, no river like
craving.
Answer
From
craving arises sorrow, from craving arises fear. For him who is entirely free
from craving, there is neither sorrow nor fear.
Leader
‘Impermanence is all component things.’ When the wise person understands
this, he grows weary of pain. This is the Path of
Purity.
Answer
‘Sorrowful is all conditioned things.’ ‘All forms are without a soul.’
When the wise person understands this, he grows weary of pain. This is the Path
of Purity.
Leader
Control
of speech, control of thought, control of actions. Keep these roads of actions
clear and find the Way made known by the wise.
Answer
I go to
the Buddha for refuge. I go to the Dhamma for refuge. I go to the Sangha for
refuge. Better than a hundred verses devoid of meaning, is one verse of the
Teaching that brings peace.
