1. The Chapter about the Pairs (PDHP1-13)

Patna Dhammapada

1. The Chapter about the Pairs

Hail and Homage to all Buddhas, Dharmas and the Noble Saṅghas.

Mind precedes thoughts, mind is their chief, they are impelled by mind,

if with a base mind one speaks or acts,

through that, suffering follows him like a wheel follows the ox’s foot.

Mind precedes thoughts, mind is their chief, they are impelled by mind,

if with pure mind one speaks or acts,

through that, happiness follows him like a shadow which does not depart.

Here he laments, after death he laments, the wicked one laments in both places,

he laments, he suffers vexation, seeing the defilement of his own deeds.

Here he is happy, after death he is happy, the meritorious one is happy in both places,

he is happy… seeing the purity of his own deeds.

“He abused me, he struck at me, he overcame me, he robbed me,”

those who bear these ill-will their hatred is never appeased.

“He abused me, he struck at me, he overcame me, he robbed me,”

those who do not bear these ill-will their hatred is appeased.

Living contemplating what is pleasant, uncontrolled in sense faculties,

not knowing the limit in food, indolent, low in energy—

Māra surely overthrows that one, like wind overthrows a weak tree.

Living contemplating the unpleasant, well-controlled in sense faculties,

and knowing the limit in food, faithful, with energy aroused—

Māra does not overthrow that one, just as wind does not overthrow a mountain made of rock.

If you should find a prudent, wise companion, one who lives well, a wise one,

overcoming all your troubles you should live with that one, glad and mindful.

If you do not find a prudent, wise companion, one who lives well, a wise one,

like a king who abandons his conquered kingdom, one should live alone like a solitary elephant in the forest.

It is better to live alone, there can be no companionship with a fool,

one should live alone and not do anything bad, unconcerned like a solitary elephant in the forest.

He who, through desire, hatred, fear or delusion, transgresses Dhamma,

his fame diminishes, like the moon in the dark fortnight.

He who, through desire, hatred, fear or delusion, does not transgress Dhamma,

his fame increases, like the moon in the bright fortnight.

The Chapter about the Pairs