Dhammapada

The Path of Dhamma

III. Cittavagga: The Mind (33-43)

Index The Pāḷi

 

By Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

 

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[33] Quivering, wavering,
hard to guard,
to hold in check:
the mind.
The sage makes it straight --
like a fletcher,
the shaft of an arrow.

[34] Like a fish
pulled from its home in the water
and thrown on land:
this mind flips and flaps about
to escape Mara's sway.

[35] Hard to hold down,
nimble,
alighting wherever it likes:
the mind.
Its taming is good.
The mind well-tamed
brings ease.

[36] So hard to see,
so very, very subtle,
alighting wherever it likes:
the mind.
The wise should guard it.
The mind protected
brings ease.

[37] Wandering far,
going alone,
bodiless,
lying in a cave:
the mind.
Those who restrain it:
from Mara's bonds
they'll be freed.

[38] For a person of unsteady mind,
not knowing true Dhamma,
serenity
set adrift:
discernment doesn't grow full.

[39] For a person of unsoddened mind,
unassaulted awareness,
abandoning merit and evil,
wakeful,
there is no danger
no fear.

[40] Knowing this body
is like a clay jar,
securing this mind
like a fort,
attack Mara
with the spear of discernment,
then guard what's won
without settling there,
without laying claim.

[41] All too soon, this body
will lie on the ground
cast off,
bereft of consciousness,
like a useless scrap
of wood.

[42] Whatever an enemy might do
to an enemy,
or a foe to a foe,
the ill-directed mind
can do to you
even worse.

[43] Whatever a mother, father
or other kinsman
might do for you,
the well-directed mind
can do for you
even better.

 

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