Zen in Ten: "Those Bound for Freedom"
Dhammapada Verses 209-220: The Chapter About Affection
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, 167-178, 179-196, and 197-208. This chapter is translated by Ajahn Munindo and is excerpted from A Dhammapada for Contemplation, published by Aruno Publications, 2017. Peace, Rev. Shoren Heather
There are those who pursue
that which should be avoided
and avoid that which
should be pursued.
Caught up in the senses
they lose their way,
and later envy
those who know the truth.
To lose the company
of those with whom
one feels at home is painful,
to be associated with those
whom you dislike is even worse;
so do not abandon yourselves
either to the company of those
with whom you feel at home
or those whom you dislike.
Beware of the attachment
that springs from fondness,
for separation from those
one holds dear is painful,
while if you take sides
neither for nor against fondness,
there will be no ties that bind.
From endearment springs grief.
From endearment springs fear of loss.
Yet, if one is free from endearment
there is no grief
so how could there be any fear?
Becoming lost in affection
brings sorrow;
becoming lost in affection
brings fear. Being free from affection
means sorrow ceases,
so how could there be any fear?
Becoming lost in enjoyment
brings sorrow;
becoming lost in enjoyment
brings fear. Being free in your experience of enjoyment
means sorrow ceases,
so how could there be any fear?
Becoming lost in lust
brings sorrow;
becoming lost in lust
brings fear.
Not being lost in lust
means sorrow ceases,
so how could there be any fear?
Becoming lost in craving
brings sorrow;
becoming lost in craving
brings fear.
Being free from craving
means sorrow ceases,
so how could there be any fear?
Naturally held dear are those
who live with right action
and have found the Way,
and through insight
have become established in the truth.
Those who long
for the undefinable,
with hearts filled with inspiration,
whose minds are freed
from sensual longing,
are called
“those bound for freedom.”
Just as family and friends
joyfully welcome home
loved ones returned from afar,
so their own good deeds
welcome those who have done them
as they go from this life to the next.