8. The Chapter about Flowers (PDHP121-136)

Patna Dhammapada

8. The Chapter about Flowers

The fragrance of flowers goes not against the wind, nor does sandalwood or pinwheel or saffron,

but the fragrance of the good goes against the wind, the true person’s fragrance permeates all directions.

Sandalwood, pinwheel, then water lily and striped jasmine,

amongst these kinds of fragrance virtue’s fragrance is unsurpassed.

Pinwheel and sandalwood fragrance are insignificant,

but the fragrance of those who have virtue flutters supreme amongst the gods.

Māra cannot find the path of those endowed with virtue, who live heedfully,

and who are freed through right and deep knowledge.

Just like a beautiful flower, which has colour, but lacks fragrance,

so are well-spoken words fruitless for the one who acts not on them.

Just like a beautiful flower, which has colour, and has fragrance,

so are well-spoken words fruitful for the one who does act on them.

Just as a bee, without hurting the flower, its colour or scent,

gathers its nectar and escapes, so should the seer roam in the village.

Death takes up and carries away the one whose mind is attached to collecting flowers,

like a great flood carries off a sleeping village.

The End-Maker takes control of the one whose mind is attached to collecting flowers,

though he is unfulfilled with sense pleasures.

Just as from a heap of flowers one might make a lot of garlands,

so should many good deeds be done by one who is born a mortal.

Who will conquer this earth and the lower realm, together with the gods?

Who will win the well-taught verses of Dhamma as a good man wins a flower?

The trainee will conquer this earth and the lower realm, together with the gods.

He will win the well-taught verses of Dhamma as a good man wins a flower.

Just as striped jasmine casts off its (…) flowers,

so, monastics, cast off all passion and hatred.

Knowing that this world is just like froth, it has the nature of a mirage to those who understand,

cutting off Māra’s flower-tipped arrows, one should go beyond the King of Death’s sight.

Just as in a forsaken rubbish heap along the highway

a lotus might spring forth, with a pure fragrance, delighting the mind,

so amongst the forsaken, the Perfect Sambuddha’s disciple

outshines the blind and ordinary folk through his wisdom.

The Chapter about Flowers