16. On the Thousands (T210.16)

Though one might recite thousand words;
If their meanings be improper,
It’s better to recite one with essential [meaning]
Hearing which thoughts will come to cease.

Though one might recite a thousand chapters;
What’s the use if they be meaningless?
It’s better to recite one with meaning,
Hearing and practicing which one crosses over.

Though one might recite many sūtras,
What’s the use if one does not understand?
[It’s better] to understand one dharma verse,
Practicing which one may attain Enlightenment.

Battling with thousands and thousands of men,
One man might be the victor,
But he who conquers himself is better
He is indeed the greatest in battle.

Best indeed is one who has conquered himself
He is as such called the King of men
Guarding his thoughts and training his self,
He restrains himself till the end.

Even the gods, said to be exalted,
Or demigods or Māra or Brahmā or Śakra,
None of them can defeat
A man who has conquered himself.

One might each month offer sacrifices by the thousand,
And continue doing so for one’s whole life;
This is not as good as, for a single moment
Recollecting the Dharma with one-mindedness
The merit of one such thought
Excels that of [offering sacrifice] for a whole life.

Though for a whole century,
One might attend to the sacrificial fire;
It’s better, even if for a single moment,
To make offerings to the Three Honoured Ones

If one offers sacrifice to gods, for the merit’s sake,
And subsequently expects reward from it;
This would not amount to a fourth [the merit]
From paying respect to the virtuous ones.

In him who properly conforms to etiquette
And always respects the elders,
Four blessings automatically increase;
Beauty, strength, long-life, and happiness.

If one lives a hundred years,
Away from [mental] rectitude and unethical;
It’s better to live a single day
Being ethical, mentally rectified and meditative.

If one lives a hundred years
Crooked, insincere and without wisdom;
It’s better to live a single day
With a mind concentrated, acquiring true wisdom.

If one lives a hundred years
Sluggishly and without diligence;
It’s better to live a single day,
Doing one’s best and with diligence.

If one lives a hundred years
Without perceiving the rise and fall of things;
It’s better to live a single day,
Doing’s one’s best and with diligence.

If one lives a hundred years
Without seeing the Path of Ambrosia;
It’s better to live a single day
Tasting-practicing-the flavor of Ambrosia.

If one lives a hundred years
Without knowledge of Righteousness.
It’s better to live a single day
Studying the essentials of the Buddha’s dharma.

Translated from the Chinese by Bhikkhu Kuala Lumpur Dhammajoti

From his book The Chinese Version of Dharmapada, Translated with introduction and annotations.

Published here with the kind permission of the author.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Ayya Vimala.