Dhammapada

The Path of Dhamma

XVII. Kodhavagga: Anger (221-234)

By Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

[221] Abandon anger,
be done with conceit,
get beyond every fetter.
When for name and form
you have no attachment
-- have nothing at all --
no sufferings, no stresses, invade.

[222] When anger arises,
whoever keeps firm control
as if with a racing chariot:
him
I call a master charioteer.
Anyone else,
a rein-holder --
that's all.

[223] Conquer anger
with lack of anger;
bad, with good;
stinginess, with generosity;
a liar, with truth.

[224] By telling the truth;
by not growing angry;
by giving, when asked,
no matter how little you have:
by these three things
you enter the presence of devas.

[225] Gentle sages,
constantly restrained in body,
go to the unwavering state
where, having gone,
there's no grief.

[226] Those who always stay wakeful,
training by day and by night,
keen on Unbinding:
their effluents come to an end.

[227] This has come down from old, Atula,
and not just from today:
they find fault with one
who sits silent,
they find fault with one
who speaks a great deal,
they find fault with one
who measures his words.
There's no one unfaulted in the world.

[228] There never was,
will be,
nor at present is found
anyone entirely faulted
or entirely praised.

[229-230] If knowledgeable people praise him,
having observed him
day after day
to be blameless in conduct, intelligent,
endowed with discernment and virtue:
like an ingot of gold --
who's fit to find fault with him?
Even devas praise him.
Even by Brahmas he's praised.

[231] Guard against anger
erupting in body;
in body, be restrained.
Having abandoned bodily misconduct,
live conducting yourself well
in body.

[232] Guard against anger
erupting in speech;
in speech, be restrained.
Having abandoned verbal misconduct,
live conducting yourself well
in speech.

[233-234] Guard against anger
erupting in mind;
in mind, be restrained.
Having abandoned mental misconduct,
live conducting yourself well
in mind.
Those restrained in body
-- the enlightened --
restrained in speech and in mind
-- enlightened --
are the ones whose restraint is secure.

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