Surely not on mounts like these
one goes the Unfrequented Way
as one by self well-tamed
is tamed and by the taming goes.
Explanation: Indeed, not be any means of transport can one go to the place one has never been before, but by thoroughly taming oneself, the tamed one can get to that place – Nibbana. Continue reading “Verse 323. The Right Vehicle To Nibbana”
Excellent are mules when tamed
and thoroughbred from Sindh,
noble the elephant of state,
better still one tamed of self.
Explanation: When well trained, mules are useful. Sindu thoroughbreds are outstanding among horses. Of great elephants those of the Kunjara breed are the greatest. But, of all, the best is the person who has trained himself. Continue reading “Verse 322. The Most Disciplined Animal”
The tusker tamed they lead in crowds,
the king he mounts the tamed,
noblest of humans are the tamed
who can endure abuse.
Explanation: It is the disciplined animal (elephant or horse) that is led to a gathering. The king mounts a disciplined horse. Among men the disciplined one is the greatest. He has endured the harsh words of the people. Continue reading “Verse 321. The Disciplined Animal”
Many folks are ill-behaved
but I shall endure abuse
as elephant in battle
arrows shot from a bow.
Explanation: I will endure the words of the unvirtuous, who make statements that go beyond the limits of decency. This is just as the elephant that endures arrows in battle. Continue reading “Verse 320. The Buddha’s Endurance”
A fault they understand as such,
they know as well where fault is not,
so by embracing righteous views
beings go to a happy rebirth.
Explanation: They regard error as error, and what is right as right. Those people who embrace right views go to heaven. Continue reading “Verse 319. Right Understanding”
Faults they see where fault is not
but where is fault they see it not,
so by embracing evil views
beings go to an evil birth.
Explanation: Those who take what is correct as incorrect, and those who take what is not correct as correct, both go to woeful states when they depart because of their false beliefs. Continue reading “Verse 318. Right And Wrong”
They are afraid where fear is not
but where is fear are unafraid,
so by embracing evil views
beings go to an evil birth.
Explanation: There are some who are afraid of what they should not fear. There are also some who are not afraid of what they should really fear. They, all, who embrace false beliefs go to woeful states. Continue reading “Verse 317. Fear And Fearlessness In Wrong Places”
They are ashamed where shame is not
but where is shame are not ashamed
so by embracing evil views
beings go to an evil birth.
Explanation: Those who are ashamed of what they should not be ashamed of, and those who are unashamed of what they should be ashamed of, all those who embrace false views go to woeful states. Continue reading “Verse 316. False Beliefs Lead To Hell”
Even as a border town
guarded within and without,
so should you protect yourselves.
Do not let this moment pass
for when this moment’s gone they grieve
sending themselves to hell.
Explanation: As a border town is guarded both inside and outside, so guard yourself. Let not the moment go by. Those who miss this moment has come to grief when they fall into hell. Continue reading “Verse 315. Guard The Mind”
Better an evil deed not done
for misdeed later on torments.
Better done is deed that’s good,
which done, does not torment.
Explanation: It is better not to do an evil deed; an evil deed torments one later on. It is better to do a good deed as one has not to repent for having done it. Continue reading “Verse 314. Good Deeds Never Make You Repent”
