18. Knives and Rods (T210.18)

All are afraid of death.
None does not fear the pain [inflicted with] rods.
Just as you would forgive yourself,
Don’t kill; don’t strike with rods.

He who ever cares for the well-being of creatures,
And does not inflict pain on them;
Will meet with no harm in this life,
And be always well and happy hereafter.

Do not speak harsh words;
He who speaks thus must fear retribution.
Evil being done, disaster will follow,
And knives and rods will come upon your body.

Be kind in uttering words,
Like knocking at a gong [gently].
When you dispute no more,
You will transcend existence easily.

He who strikes the good ones with sticks,
And vilifies those who are innocent;
Will be retributed ten-fold with misfortune.
Which will befall him promptly and inevitably.

[Firstly], severe pain while living;
[Secondly], physical injury;
[Thirdly], spontaneous illness;
[Fourthly], mental disorder;

[Fifthly], false accusation from others;
[Sixthly], trouble from the magistrate;
[Seventhly], destruction of assets;
[Eighthly], separation from relatives;

[Ninethly] His houses, and everything therein
Being burnt away by fire;
[Tenthly] Falling into hell at death.
Such are the ten [misfortunes].

Though one might go naked or shave one’s head,
Or for life put on straw-clothes,
Or bathe oneself [in sacred rivers] [or] squat on rocks,
What use are these for [overcoming] one’s doubts?

He who neither strikes, kills nor burns,
Nor seeks to be a winner;
Who loves all living beings,
Will meet with no enmity.

If there be a person in the world,
Who knows to be shameful;
He is one being induced to progress,
Like a thoroughbred being whipped.

Like a fine horse when whipped,
Advances far on the path.
Even so a man endowed with faith, virtue,
Mental concentration and vigour;
Commits to the Path and accomplishes wisdom,
Thereby eliminating all sufferings.

He who [though] well-adorned practices the dharma,
Who restrains himself and upholds the pure life,
Laying aside the cudgel towards all creatures,
Is said to be a śramaṇa, a spiritual cultivator.

He who is harmless towards all creatures,
Will never in his life be harmed,
If he is always kind towards all,
Who is there to be his enemy?

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.