Home DHP DHP 290-305

Dhammapada verses 290–305 share on the renunciation of lesser happiness for greater joy, mindfulness of the body, and applying effort to overcome defilements. It highlights the harm of neglecting duties, imposing suffering on another, while praising Gotama's disciples who are immersed in mindfulness, non-violence, and cultivation.

Pakiṇṇaka vagga - Chapter 21 - Assorted

290

If, by giving up a |limited happiness::small comfort [mattāsukha]|,
one sees vast happiness;
The wise one should renounce the limited happiness,
|having seen::considering [sampassanta]| the vast happiness.

291

|Imposing suffering on another::causing another discomfort [paradukkhūpadhāna]|,
one seeks their own happiness;
Living entangled with |animosity::hatred, ill will, hostility, enmity [vera]|,
they are not freed from animosity.

292

When what should be done is neglected,
and what should not be done is done instead;
For those who are |arrogant::conceited, haughty [unnaḷa]| and |negligent::inattentive, careless, intoxicated [pamatta]|,
their |mental defilements::mental outflows, discharges, taints [āsava]| grow.

293

For those who are well-established in effort,
with mindfulness of the body always present;
Who do not |pursue::practice, cultivate [sevati]| what should not be done,
and are |persistent::acting continuously [sātaccakārī]| in what should be done;
For those mindful and |fully aware::with attentiveness, with clear and full comprehension, intentional, purposeful [sampajāna]|,
their mental defilements come to an end.

294

Having slain |mother::this is a reference to craving| and |father::this is a reference to conceit|,
and |two kings of the warrior class::this is a reference to eternalism and annihilationism|;
Having wiped out the |kingdom::this is a reference to sense organs and sense objects| along with its |treasurer::this is a reference to attachment and lust|,
the brahmin proceeds |untroubled::undisturbed, calm, free from affliction [anīgha]|.

295

Having slain mother and father,
and two brahman kings;
And a |tiger::a reference to the five mental hindrances, symbolizing a perilous path infested with tigers| as the fifth,
the brahmin proceeds untroubled.

296

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly [refreshed];
Those who day and night,
are |continuously::regularly, reliably [nicca]| immersed in the Buddha.

297

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly refreshed;
Those who day and night,
are continuously immersed in the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|.

298

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly refreshed;
Those who day and night,
are continuously immersed in the |Saṅgha::The community of monks and nuns following the Buddha. In the broader sense, this is the community of disciples who have realized the noble path and fruition through the Buddha’s teaching [saṅgha]|.

299

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly refreshed;
Those who day and night,
are continuously immersed in the mindfulness of body.

300

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly refreshed;
Those who day and night,
have a mind that delights in |non-violence::harmlessness [ahiṃsā]|.

301

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly refreshed;
Those who day and night,
have a mind that delights in |cultivation::development, meditation [bhāvanā]|.

302

Difficult to undertake is the homeless life, difficult it is to delight in it,
also difficult and sorrowful to stay in is the household life;
|Suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]| arises from living together with those different [in minds],
suffering pursues the traveler [wandering in the cyclic existence];
Therefore, do not be [an aimless] traveler,
do not let suffering pursue you.

303

Endowed with |faith::confidence, conviction, trust [saddha]| and |virtue::ethical conduct, moral integrity [sīla]|,
who has fame and wealth;
Wherever he goes,
there he is |honored::venerated [pūjita]|.

304

The peaceful |shine::illuminate, radiate [pakāseti]| from afar,
like the Himalayan peaks;
But the |not still::not calm, unpeaceful [asanta]| are not seen,
like arrows shot in the night.

305

Sitting alone, sleeping alone,
who wanders alone, who is |energetic::without laziness [atandita]|;
Who restrains himself alone,
will find delight in the |wilderness::edge of the forest [vananta]|.

Last updated on April 29, 2025

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