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,
one sees vast happiness;
The wise one should renounce the limited happiness,
having seen the vast happiness.

291

Imposing suffering on another,
one seeks their own happiness;
Living entangled with animosity,
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 and negligent,
their mental defilements grow.

293

For those who are well-established in effort,
with mindfulness of the body always present;
Who do not pursue what should not be done,
and are persistent in what should be done;
For those mindful and fully aware,
their mental defilements come to an end.

294

Having slain mother and father,
and two kings of the warrior class;
Having wiped out the kingdom along with its treasurer,
the brahmin proceeds untroubled.

295

Having slain mother and father,
and two brahman kings;
And a tiger as the fifth,
the brahmin proceeds untroubled.

296

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly [refreshed];
Those who day and night,
are continuously 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.

298

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

301

The disciples of Gotama,
always wake up thoroughly refreshed;
Those who day and night,
have a mind that delights in cultivation.

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 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 and virtue,
who has fame and wealth;
Wherever he goes,
there he is honored.

304

The peaceful shine from afar,
like the Himalayan peaks;
But the not still are not seen,
like arrows shot in the night.

305

Sitting alone, sleeping alone,
who wanders alone, who is energetic;
Who restrains himself alone,
will find delight in the wilderness.

Last updated on April 8, 2025

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