Home DHP DHP 167-178

Dhammapada verses 167-178 emphasize living in accordance with the Dhamma, avoiding negligence, not embrace wrong view, and not indulging in the world. One should rise up, live with good conduct, and not live with unwholesome conduct. The world is blind, and only a few see clearly. Swans travel the pathway of the sun, and the wise are emancipated from the world.

Loka vagga - Chapter 13 - World

167

One should not pursue a |base::inferior, low, deficient [hīna]| |way of life::teachings, principles, practices [dhamma]|,
nor should one live with |negligence::carelessly, heedlessly [pamāda]|;
One should not embrace a |wrong view::a distorted perception, an untrue view, a false belief [micchādiṭṭhi]|,
and one should not |indulge in the world::attached to the world, fostering worldliness [lokavaḍḍhana]|.

168

One should rise up and not be negligent,
one should live in accordance with the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|, with good conduct;
Living in accordance with the Dhamma, one rests in |ease::contentment, happiness, pleasant abiding [sukha]|,
both in this world and the next.

169

One should live in accordance with the Dhamma, with good conduct,
and not live with |unwholesome conduct::misbehavior, bad conduct, misconduct [duccarita]|;
Living in accordance with the Dhamma, one rests in |ease::contentment, happiness, pleasant abiding [sukha]|,
both in this world and the next.

170

As one would see a bubble,
as one would see an |illusion::a mirage, a trick of the eye [marīcika]|;
One who |regards::sees, views [avekkhanta]| the world in this way,
is not seen by the Lord of Death.

171

Come, see this world,
adorned like a royal chariot;
Here, the immature |sink [in attachment]::flounder, become dejected [visīdati]|,
but |those who understand::for those who discern [vijānataṃ]| remain unbound.

172

One who, having been negligent before,
is no longer negligent afterward;
|Illuminates::brightens [pabhāseti]| the world,
like the moon freed from clouds.

173

For one whose |injurious::harmful, bad, potentially evil [pāpa]| actions,
are |superseded::supplanted [pidhīyati]| by |wholesome::healthy, beneficial, useful [kusala]| actions;
That person illuminates the world,
like the moon freed from clouds.

174

This world is |blind::ignorant of or misunderstanding the true nature of reality [andhabhūta]|,
only a few here |see clearly::understand with insight [vipassati]|;
Like a bird |freed from the net::escaped from the snare [jālamutta]|,
only a few reach heaven.

175

|Swans::metaphorically representing sages [haṁsā]| travel the pathway of the sun,
they move through the sky with their |psychic abilities::spiritual powers, supernormal abilities [iddhi]|;
The |steadfast::intelligent one, stable, wise [dhīra]| are emancipated from the world,
having conquered |Māra::embodiment of all forces that keeps beings trapped in the cycle of rebirth [māra]| and his army.

176

For one who has transgressed a single principle,
a person who engages in |false speech::lying [musāvāda]|;
|Who has disregarded the afterlife::who has rejected, given up or neglected the next world [vitiṇṇaparaloka]|,
there is no injurious action that is |not do-able::impossible to do [akāriya]|.

177

Truly, the stingy do not go to the heaven,
for |immature persons::childish persons, lacking discernment [bālā]| do not praise giving;
The wise one rejoices in giving,
just by that he finds ease |hereafter::afterwards, later [parattha]|.

178

Better than sole sovereignty over the earth,
better than going to heaven;
Better than |lordship over all the worlds::rulership over the entire universe [sabbalokādhipacca]|,
is the fruit of |entering the stream::stream-entry, first stage of enlightenment [sotāpatti]|.

Last updated on March 31, 2025

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