1.1
The experience of life is
created by mind.
Thought precedes
experience.
If one speaks and acts
with a clouded mind,
suffering follows,
as the wheel of the
ox-cart follows the ox.
1.2
The experience of life is
created by mind.
Thought precedes
experience.
If one speaks and acts
with a clear mind,
contentment follows like a
faithful shadow.
1.3
“He insulted me! He attacked me!
He cheated me! He robbed me!”
One who holds these
thoughts
will never be free of
hate.
1.4
“He insulted me! He attacked me!
He cheated me! He robbed me!”
One who is free of these
thoughts will be free of hate.
1.5
Hatred in this world is
not ended by hating.
Hatred is ended by not
hating.
This truth has no
exceptions.
1.6
Most people forget they
will soon be dead.
Those who remember
put an end to their
quarrels.
1.7
One who lives for
pleasure, senses unchecked,
who eats too much, works
too little,
and lacks vital energy,
is bent to the intent of
Mara the Beguiler,
just as a weak tree is
bent by the wind.
1.8
One who is unmoved by
pleasure, senses restrained,
who eats in moderation,
works diligently,
and retains vital energy,
is not beguiled by Mara,
just as a rock is not
ruffled by wind.
1.9
One who would wear the
saffron robe
who is clouded, lacking
virtue, and ignorant of truth,
is not worthy of the
saffron robe.
1.10
One who would wear the
saffron robe
who is clear, well
established in virtue and truth,
is worthy of the saffron
robe.
1.11
One who takes the unreal
to be real
will never see the Real,
being beguiled by the
unreal.
1.12
One who knows the unreal
is not real
will come to see the Real,
being no longer beguiled
by the unreal.
1.13
Desire permeates a clouded
mind
as rain permeates a badly
thatched house.
1.14
Desire does not permeate a
clear mind,
as rain does not permeate
a well-thatched house.
1.15
Selfish action brings
grief.
Grief now, grief
hereafter, grief in both.
Seeing the selfishness of
one’s actions,
one forever grieves.
1.16
Selfless action brings
joy.
Joy now, joy hereafter,
joy in both.
Seeing the selflessness of
one’s actions,
one is free of grief.
1.17
He who does evil suffers.
Suffers now, suffers
hereafter.
In both he knows, “I have
done evil.”
He burns in torment at the
thought of his evil,
and is born into a realm
of suffering.
1.18
He who does good is
content.
Content now, content
hereafter.
In both he knows, “I have
done good.”
He rejoices in the thought
of his goodness,
and exists in a state of
contentment.
1.19
One who recites many
religious teachings,
but is careless about
putting them into practice,
is like a cowherd counting
cows that are not his.
He cannot taste the milk
of spiritual life.
1.20
One who recites few
religious teachings,
but is faithful to Dhamma,
who has overcome desire,
hatred, and delusion,
whose mind is clear,
who clings to nothing now
or hereafter,
indeed lives the life of
spirit.