Latest / Wisdom of the Ages Library / 03 - Thought - The Dhammapada
Transcript
- Chapter three. Thought, as a flutterer makes straight his arrow, a wise man make straight his trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult to hold back. As a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on the dry ground, our thought trembles all over in order to escape the dominion of Mara the Tempter. It is good to tame the mind, which is difficult to hold in and flighty, rushing wherever it listeth. Attained mind brings happiness. Let the wise man guard his thoughts, for they are difficult to perceive, very artful, and they rush wherever they list. Thoughts well guarded bring happiness. Those who bridle their mind, which travels far, moves about alone, is without a body, and hides in the chamber of the heart, will be free from the bonds of Mara the Tempter. If a man's thoughts are unsteady, if he does not know the true law, if his peace of mind is troubled, his knowledge will never be perfect. If a man's thoughts are not dissipated, if his mind is not perplexed, if he has ceased to think of good or evil, then there is no fear for him. While he is watchful, knowing that this body is fragile like a jar, and making this thought firm like a fortress. One should attack Mara the Tempter with the weapon of knowledge. One should watch him when conquer and should never rest before long, alas this body will lie on the earth, despised without understanding, like a useless log. Whatever a hater may do to a hater, or an enemy to an enemy, a wrongly directed mind will do us greater mischief. Not a mother, not a father, will do so much, nor any other relative. A well directed mind will do us greater service. End of Chapter three