Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Dhammapada
PTS: Dhp 21-32
Source: Adapted from the original translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
Appamadavagga: Heedfulness
21. Heedfulness: the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness: the path to death. The heedful do not die. The heedless are as if already dead.
22. Knowing this as a true distinction,those wise in heedfulness rejoice in heedfulness,enjoying the range of the noble ones.
23. The enlightened, constantlyabsorbed in jhana,persevering,firm in their effort: they touch Unbinding, the unexcelled safety from bondage.
24. Those with initiative,mindful,clean in action,acting with due consideration,heedful, restrained,living the Dhamma:their glory grows.
25. Through initiative, heedfulness, restraint, & self-control, the wise would make an island no flood can submerge.
26. They're addicted to heedlessness -- dullards, fools -- while one who is wise cherishes heedfulness as his highest wealth.
27. Don't give way to heedlessness or to intimacy with sensual delight -- for a heedful person, absorbed in jhana, attains an abundance of ease.
28. When the wise person drives out heedlessness with heedfulness, having climbed the high tower of discernment, sorrow-free, he observes the sorrowing crowd -- as the enlightened man, having scaled a summit, the fools on the ground below.
29. Heedful among the heedless, wakeful among those asleep, just as a fast horse advances, leaving the weak behind: so the wise.
30. Through heedfulness, Indra won to lordship over the gods. Heedfulness is praised, heedlessness censured -- always.
31. The monk delighting in heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness, advances like a fire, burning fetters great & small.
32. The monk delighting in heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness -- incapable of falling back -- stands right on the verge of Unbinding.
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Copyright © 1997 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
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