2. The Chapter about Heedfulness (PDHP14-33)

Patna Dhammapada

2. The Chapter about Heedfulness

Heedfulness is the deathless state, heedlessness the state of the dead,

the heedful do not die, but those who are heedless are as if dead.

The wise, understanding this difference in regard to heedfulness,

rejoice in heedfulness, delight in the domain of the Noble Ones.

Those who meditate all the time, constant and firm in their effort,

those wise ones reach Nibbāna, the unsurpassed release from all bonds.

The foolish and stupid people cultivate heedlessness,

but the sagacious one guards heedfulness just as his greatest wealth.

Heedful amongst the heedless ones, wakeful amongst the ones who sleep,

like a swift horse who abandons a weak horse, the true sage moves on.

When the wise one eliminates heedlessness with his heedfulness,

and mounts the palace of wisdom, griefless, he looks on grieving people;

the wise one, like one standing on a mountain, looks down on the fools who are standing on the plains.

Whoever before was heedless, but later is not heedless,

that one shines brightly in this world like the moon released from a cloud.

Whoever before was heedless, but later is not heedless,

he, being mindful, can overcome clinging to the world.

A monastic who values heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness,

is unable to fall away: he is well-nigh to Nibbāna.

A monastic who values heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness,

advances like burning fire against the fetter, small or large.

You should delight in heedfulness, you should always protect your mind,

you should raise yourself from this pit like the tusker sunk in the mud.

Rejoicing in heedfulness, prudent, restrained in virtue,

in good time they attain that where, once attained, there is no grieving.

Do not rejoice in heedlessness, unacquainted with delight in sensual pleasure,

living in this way, ardent, with mind at peace, not proud,

devoted to mental calm, he will make an end to suffering.

One should strive, not be heedless, one should live by Dhamma, with good conduct,

living by Dhamma one lives at ease in this world and the next.

For he who is active, mindful, pure in deeds, considerate,

self-controlled, living by Dhamma, heedful, his fame increases.

Through activity, heedfulness, through self-control and through restraint,

the sage should make an island that no flood waters can overwhelm.

The one who has not energy at a time for energy, youthful, strong, lazy in his home,

whose mind lacks right intention and is indolent—the lazy one does not go along wisdom’s path.

One should not follow lowly things, one should not abide heedlessly,

one should not follow a wrong view, one should not foster worldliness.

One is not a Dhamma-bearer merely through speaking much,

but the one who, having heard a little, would see Dhamma for himself,

is one who bears Dhamma, the one who is not heedless regarding Dhamma.

Consider the Dhamma heedfully, do not let your mind swirl around in strands of desire,

do not, heedless, swallow a hot iron ball, and, while burning, cry: ‘This is suffering.’

The Chapter about Heedfulness