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20 April, 2008

THE DHAMMAPADA - Twin Verses




                                Twin Verses


Our Life is shaped by our mind, we become what we think.
Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheel of a
cart follows the oxen that draw it.
Our Life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.
Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves.

                                                     ***

“He was angry with me, he attacked me, he defeated me,
He robbed me”- those who dwell on such thoughts will
never be free from hatred.
“He was angry with me, he attacked me, he defeated me
he robbed me” - those who do not dwell on such
thoughts will surely become free from hatred.

                                                    ***

For hatred can never put an end to hatred; love alone can.
This is an unalterable law.
People forget that their lives will end soon. For those
Who remember, quarrels come to an end.

                                                    ***

As strong wind blows down a weak-rooted tree, Mara
the Tempter overwhelms weak people who, eating too
much and working too little, are caught in the frantic
pursuit of pleasure.

                                                   ***

As the strongest wind cannot shake a mountain, Mara
Cannot shake those who are self-disciplined and full of
faith.

                                                 ***

Those who put on the saffron robe without purifying
the mind, who lack truthfulness and self-control, are
Not fit to wear this sacred garment.
But those who have purified their minds and are
Endowed with truth and self-control are truly fit to
wear the saffron robe.

                                               ***

The deluded, imagining trivial things to be vital to life,
Follow their vain fancies and never attain the highest
knowledge.
But the wise, knowing what is trivial and what is vital,
set their thoughts on the supreme goal and attain the
highest knowledge.

                                              ***

As rain seeps through an ill-thatched hut, passion will
seep through an untrained mind.
As rain cannot seep through a well-thatched hut, passion
cannot seep through a well-trained mind.

                                             ***

Those who are selfish suffer here and hereafter, they suffer
in both worlds from the results of their own actions.
But those who are selfless rejoice here and rejoice
Hereafter; they rejoice in both worlds from the results
of their own actions.

                                              ***

Those who are selfish sufer in this life and in the next.
They suffer seeing the results of the evil they have done,
and more suffering awaits them in the next life.
But those who are selfless rejoice in this life and in the
next. They rejoice seeing the good that they have done,
and more joy awaits them in the next world.

                                             ***

Those who recite many scriptures but fail to practice
Their teachings are like a cowherd counting another’s
cows. They do not share in the joys of the spiritual life.
But those who know few scriptures but practice their
Teachings, overcoming all lust, hatred, and delusion, live
with a pure mind in the highest wisdom. They stand
without external supports and share in the joys of the
spiritual life.

                                            ***

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