Dhp Vagga 06 - Pandita - The Wise

Khuddakanikāya Minor Collection

Dhammapada Sayings of the Dhamma 76–89

Paṇḍitavagga 6. The Astute

Nidhīnaṁva pavattāraṁ, Regard one who sees your faults

yaṁ passe vajjadassinaṁ; as a guide to a hidden treasure.

Niggayhavādiṁ medhāviṁ, Stay close to one so wise and astute

tādisaṁ paṇḍitaṁ bhaje; who corrects you when you need it.

Tādisaṁ bhajamānassa, Sticking close to such an impartial person,

seyyo hoti na pāpiyo. things get better, not worse.

Ovadeyyānusāseyya, Advise and instruct;

asabbhā ca nivāraye; curb wickedness:

Satañhi so piyo hoti, for you shall be loved by the good,

asataṁ hoti appiyo. and disliked by the bad.

Na bhaje pāpake mitte, Don’t mix with bad friends,

na bhaje purisādhame; nor with the worst of men.

Bhajetha mitte kalyāṇe, Mix with spiritual friends,

bhajetha purisuttame. and with the best of men.

Dhammapīti sukhaṁ seti, Through joy in the teaching you sleep at ease,

vippasannena cetasā; with clear and confident heart.

Ariyappavedite dhamme, An astute person always delights in the teaching

sadā ramati paṇḍito. proclaimed by the Noble One.

Udakañhi nayanti nettikā, Irrigators guide water,

Usukārā namayanti tejanaṁ; fletchers straighten arrows,

Dāruṁ namayanti tacchakā, carpenters carve timber,

Attānaṁ damayanti paṇḍitā. the astute tame themselves.

Selo yathā ekaghano, As the wind cannot stir

vātena na samīrati; a solid mass of rock,

Evaṁ nindāpasaṁsāsu, so too blame and praise

na samiñjanti paṇḍitā. do not affect the wise.

Yathāpi rahado gambhīro, Like a deep lake,

vippasanno anāvilo; clear and unclouded,

Evaṁ dhammāni sutvāna, so clear are the astute

vippasīdanti paṇḍitā. when they hear the teachings.

Sabbattha ve sappurisā cajanti, True persons give up everything,

Na kāmakāmā lapayanti santo; they don’t cajole for the things they desire.

Sukhena phuṭṭhā atha vā dukhena, Though touched by sadness or happiness,

Na uccāvacaṁ paṇḍitā dassayanti. the astute appear neither depressed nor elated.

Na attahetu na parassa hetu, Never wish for success by unjust means,

Na puttamicche na dhanaṁ na raṭṭhaṁ; for your own sake or that of another,

Na iccheyya adhammena samiddhimattano, desiring children, wealth, or nation;

Sa sīlavā paññavā dhammiko siyā. rather, be virtuous, wise, and just.

Appakā te manussesu, Few are those among humans

ye janā pāragāmino; who cross to the far shore.

Athāyaṁ itarā pajā, The rest just run around

tīramevānudhāvati. on the near shore.

Ye ca kho sammadakkhāte, When the teaching is well explained,

dhamme dhammānuvattino; those who practice accordingly

Te janā pāramessanti, will cross over

maccudheyyaṁ suduttaraṁ. Death’s dominion so hard to pass.

Kaṇhaṁ dhammaṁ vippahāya, Rid of dark qualities,

Sukkaṁ bhāvetha paṇḍito; an astute person should develop the bright.

Okā anokamāgamma, Leaving home behind

Viveke yattha dūramaṁ. for the seclusion so hard to enjoy,

Tatrābhiratimiccheyya, try to find satisfaction there,

hitvā kāme akiñcano; having left behind sensual pleasures.

Pariyodapeyya attānaṁ, Owning nothing, an astute person

cittaklesehi paṇḍito. would cleanse themselves of mental corruptions.

Yesaṁ sambodhiyaṅgesu, Those whose minds are rightly developed

sammā cittaṁ subhāvitaṁ; in the awakening factors;

Ādānapaṭinissagge, who, letting go of attachments,

anupādāya ye ratā; delight in not grasping:

Khīṇāsavā jutimanto, with defilements ended, brilliant,

te loke parinibbutā. they are quenched in this world.