21. The Chapter about Thousands (PDHP376-397)

Patna Dhammapada

21. The Chapter about Thousands

Though there are a thousand sayings consisting of useless words,

better is one useful word, hearing which one is brought to peace.

One may speak a thousand verses consisting of useless words,

better is one verse of Dhamma, hearing which one is brought to peace.

One may conquer a thousand men a thousand times in a battle,

but having conquered another, one’s self, one would surely be supreme in battle.

One might give alms impartially with a thousand coins of money month by month for a hundred years;

and one might worship someone with developed self for a second—

that worship is surely better than the hundred-year sacrifice.

One person might care for the fire in the woods for a hundred years;

and one might worship someone with developed self for a second—

that worship is surely better than the hundred-year sacrifice.

Whatever the alms or the sacrifice in the world the one seeking merit may give for a year,

all that comes not to a quarter of the merit—better is the worship of the upright.

One might give alms impartially with a thousand coins of money month by month for a hundred years;

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of having confidence in the Buddha.

One might give alms impartially with a thousand coins of money month by month for a hundred years;

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of having confidence in the Dhamma.

One might give alms impartially with a thousand coins of money month by month for a hundred years;

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of having confidence in the Saṅgha.

One might give alms impartially with a thousand coins of money month by month for a hundred years;

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of those who have mastered Dhamma.

From month to month the fool may eat food with the tip of kusa grass,

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of having confidence in the Buddha.

From month to month the fool may eat food with the tip of kusa grass,

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of having confidence in the Dhamma.

From month to month the fool may eat food with the tip of kusa grass,

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of having confidence in the Saṅgha.

From month to month the fool may eat food with the tip of kusa grass,

but that is not worth a sixteenth part of those who have mastered Dhamma.

One might live for a hundred years, unvirtuous and uncomposed,

but a life of one day is better, for one with virtue and meditation.

One might live for a hundred years, lacking in wisdom and uncomposed,

but a life of one day is better, for one endowed with wisdom and meditation.

One might live for a hundred years, indolent, with less energy,

but a life of one day is better, for one with energy set up and firm.

One might live for a hundred years, without seeing rise and fall,

but a life of one day is better, for the one seeing rise and fall.

One might live for a hundred years, without seeing the supreme state,

but a life of one day is better, for one seeing the supreme state.

One might live for a hundred years, without seeing the deathless state,

but a life of one day is better, for one seeing the deathless state.

One might live for a hundred years, unestablished in the True Dhamma,

but a life of one day is better, for one who knows the True Dhamma.

One might live for a hundred years, having not attained the destruction of the pollutants,

but a life of one day is better, for one who has attained the destruction of the pollutants.

The Chapter about the Thousands