Theragatha
Chapter IV — The Fours

195

Dhammika

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

For free distribution only.

 

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IV.10 —

The Dhamma protects
those who live by the Dhamma.
The Dhamma well-practiced
    brings bliss.
This -- the reward
when the Dhamma's well-practiced:
one who lives by the Dhamma
doesn't go to a bad destination.

For Dhamma and non-
don't bear equal results.
Non-Dhamma leads you to hell;
Dhamma, to a good destination.

So you should engender desire
for acts of Dhamma,
rejoicing
in the One     Well-gone,
the one     who is Such.
Standing firm in the Dhamma,
of the foremost
One Well-gone,
his disciples are guided
-- enlightened --
to the foremost
refuge supreme.

Burst         is the root of the boil;
the net of craving     uprooted.
He, having ended his wandering-on,
has no stain --
like the moon
on a clear full-moon night.