Zen in Ten: Crossing the Realm of Death
Dhammapada Verses 76-89: Panditavagga: The Wise
Hello dear reader! This is the next post delineating the short verses in The Dhammapada, which is sometimes called the Buddhist Book of Proverbs. The Dhammapada is regarded as the most succinct expression of the Buddha's teachings found in the Pali canon. For your convenience, here are links to verses: 1-10, 11-20, 21-32, 33-43, 44-59, and 60-75. Translated from the Pali by Acharya Buddharakkhita (accesstoinsight.org). Peace & bows from San Francisco!
76. Should one find a person who points out faults and who reproves, let them follow such a wise and sagacious person as one would a guide to hidden treasure. It is always better, and never worse, to cultivate such an association.
77. Let [the wise person] admonish, instruct and shield one from wrong; [the wise person], indeed, is dear to the good and detestable to the evil.
78. Do not associate with evil companions; do not seek the fellowship of the vile. Associate with the good friends; seek the fellowship of noble [people].
79. The [person] who drinks deep the Dhamma lives happily with a tranquil mind. The wise [person] ever delights in the Dhamma made known by the Noble One (the Buddha).
80. Irrigators regulate the rivers; fletchers straighten the arrow shaft; carpenters shape the wood; the wise control themselves.
81. Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so the wise are not affected by praise or blame.
82. On hearing the Teachings, the wise become perfectly purified, like a lake deep, clear and still.
83. The good renounce (attachment for) everything. The virtuous do not prattle with a yearning for pleasures. The wise show no elation or depression when touched by happiness or sorrow.
84. [The wise person] is indeed virtuous, wise, and righteous who neither for their own sake nor for the sake of another (does any wrong), who does not crave for sons, wealth, or kingdom, and does not desire success by unjust means.
85. Few among [people] are those who cross to the farther shore. The rest, the bulk of [people] only run up and down the hither bank.
86. But those who act according to the perfectly taught Dhamma will cross the realm of Death, so difficult to cross.
87-88. Abandoning the dark way, let the wise [person] cultivate the bright path. Having gone from home to homelessness, let [the wise person] yearn for that delight in detachment, so difficult to enjoy. Giving up sensual pleasures, with no attachment, let the wise [person] cleanse [themselves] of defilements of the mind.
89. Those whose minds have reached full excellence in the factors of enlightenment, who, having renounced acquisitiveness, rejoice in not clinging to things — rid of cankers, glowing with wisdom, they have attained Nibbana in this very life.
Peace & Bows from San Jose🙏🙏🙏