The wood cut down but not a tree
since it’s from wood that fear is born.
Having cut wood and woodedness
O bhikkhus be without a wood.
Explanation: Monks, cut down the forest of defilements. But, do not cut down the trees. Fear comes from the forests of defilements. Clear both the forest and the undergrowth. Having done this achieve the state of Nibbana. Continue reading “Verse 283. Shun Passion”
From endeavour wisdom springs,
lacking effort wisdom wanes:
having known this two-fold path
either to progress or decline
so should one exhort oneself
that wisdom may increase.
Explanation: From reflection and concentrated meditation refined wisdom arises. Through the non-practice of concentrated wisdom erodes. Once these two paths – one leading to progress and the other to decline – are recognized, one must conduct one’s self to increased wisdom. Continue reading “Verse 282. Way To Increase Wisdom”
In speech ever watchful with mind well-restrained
never with body do unwholesomeness.
So should one purify these three kamma-paths
winning to the Way made known by the Seers.
Explanation: If one is well-guarded in speech, well-restrained in mind, and if one refrains from physical misdeeds, that person will certainly attain the noble eight-fold path realized by the sages. Continue reading “Verse 281. Purify Your Thoughts, Words And Deeds”
Though time to strive, not striving,
while young and strong yet indeed,
weak-minded and irresolute:
one finds not wisdom’s way.
Explanation: If an individual does not make an effort even at a time when exertion is due, if a person is lethargic even when he is young and strong; if a person suppresses the wholesome thoughts that arise in his mind, if he is lazy, he will not find the path to wisdom. Continue reading “Verse 280. The Lazy Miss The Path”
When with wisdom one discerns
all knowables are not a self
one wearily from dukkha turns
treading the path to purity.
Explanation: All states of being are without a self. When this is realized through insight, one achieves detachment from suffering. This is the path of total freedom from suffering. Continue reading “Verse 279. Everything Is Soul-less”
When with wisdom one discerns
the dukkha of conditioned things
one wearily from dukkha turns
treading the path to purity.
Explanation: All component things – all things that have been put together – all created things are sorrow-fraught. When this is realized through insight, one achieves detachment from suffering. This is the path to total freedom from suffering. Continue reading “Verse 278. All Component Things Are Sorrow”
When with wisdom one discerns
transience of conditioned things
one wearily from dukkha turns
treading the path to purity.
Explanation: All component things, all things that have been put together, all created things are transient, impermanent, non-constant. When this realized through insight, one achieves detachment form suffering. This is the path to total freedom from blemishes. Continue reading “Verse 277. Conditioned Things Are Transient”
Buddhas just proclaim the Path
but you’re the ones to strive.
Contemplatives who tread the Path
are freed from Mara’s bonds.
Explanation: The effort must be made by yourself. The Buddhas (the Teachers) only show the way and direct you.Those contemplative meditators, who follow the path, fully and totally escape the snares of death. Continue reading “Verse 276. Buddhas Only Shows The Way”
Entered then upon this path
you’ll make an end of dukkha.
Freed in knowledge from suffering’s stings
the Path’s proclaimed by me.
Explanation: If you follow this path, you will reach the termination of suffering. This path has been revealed by me, after the extraction of arrows. Continue reading “Verse 275. The Path To End Suffering”
This is the path, no other’s there
for purity of insight,
enter then upon this path
bemusing Mara utterly.
Explanation: This is the path. There is no other for the achievement of clarity of insight. You must follow this path to the total bewilderment of mara. Continue reading “Verse 274. The Only Path To Purity”
