Zen in Ten: "Buddha's Perfection Is Complete"
Dhammapada Verses 179-196: The Chapter About The Buddha
Hello Spark Zen Readers! 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, 60-75, 76-89, 90-99, 100-115, 116-128, 129-145, 146-156, 157-166, and 167-178. This chapter is translated by Ajahn Munindo and is excerpted from A Dhammapada for Contemplation, published by Aruno Publications, 2017. Peace, Rev. Shoren Heather
The Buddha’s perfection is complete;
there is no more work to be done.
No measure is there for his wisdom;
no limits are there to be found.
In what way could he be distracted
from truth?
The Buddha’s perfection is complete;
in him there is no craving
that could drag him down.
No measure is there for his wisdom;
no limits are there to be found.
In what way could he be distracted
from truth?
Celestial beings treasure
the Awakened Ones
who have fully seen the Way,
who are devoted to meditation
and delight in the peace
of renunciation.
It is not easy to be born as a human being
and to live this mortal life.
It is not easy to have the opportunity
to hear Dhamma
and rare for a Buddha to arise.
Refrain from doing evil,
cultivate that which is good,
purify the heart.
This is the Way of the Awakened Ones.
A renunciate does not
oppress anyone.
Patient endurance
is the ultimate asceticism.
Profound liberation,
say the Buddhas,
is the supreme goal.
Not insulting, not harming,
cultivating restraint,
with respect for the training,
modesty in eating and contentment
with one’s dwelling place,
devotion to mindful intent:
this is the teaching of the Buddha.
Not in great wealth
is there contentment,
nor in sensual pleasure,
gross or refined.
But in the extinction of craving
is joy to be found
by a disciple of the Buddha.
To many places beings withdraw
to escape from fear:
to mountains, forests,
parklands and gardens;
sacred places as well.
But none of these places
offer true refuge,
none of them can free us from fear.
One who finds refuge in the Buddha
in the Dhamma and in the Sangha
sees with penetrating insight:
suffering, its cause, its release
and the Way leading to true freedom.
The Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha:
these are the true refuge;
these are supreme;
these lead to Liberation.
It is hard to find
a being of great wisdom;
rare are the places
in which they are born.
Those who surround them
when they appear
know good fortune indeed.
Blessed is the arising of a Buddha;
blessed is the revealing of the Dhamma;
blessed is the concord of the Sangha;
delightful is harmonious communion.
Immeasurable is the benefit
obtained from honouring those
who are pure and beyond fear.
Beings who have found freedom
from sorrow and grieving
are worthy of honour.
Hi Don, thank you for liking this post. What resonates with you about it? What do you find inspiring about it? TBH, sometimes when I read about the Buddha's profound, perfect enlightenment, I feel daunted! Thanks for reading. Bows of peace, Rev. Shoren
This is beautiful. I’ve never read any of the Buddhist scriptures and this is inspiring me to do so.