14. Hatred (UV-KG14)

Hatred towards those who do no evil and who do not hate, this is the sign (lit. garment) of the sinner in this world and in the other.

After having brought misery on himself, he would afterwards bring trouble to others, like unto the hunting hawk, (?) who, captive himself, does injury to others.

He who smites will be smitten; he who shows rancour will find rancour; so likewise from reviling comes reviling, and to him who is angered comes anger.

Those foolish śramanas who know not the holy law, though this life be brief, in the foolishness of their hearts they give themselves to wrangling.

“This is the best (man),” they think, being thus at variance with the unanimous opinion: “Why does the clergy choose this man? he is without strength and without mind.”

If a bone is broken, (they advise) killing, carrying off horses, cattle, and riches, subduing kingdoms, and then afterwards to become friends again.

But the wise man, who knows what is (right), says: “Why do you not learn this law, which teaches the real way to live?” (lit. field of activity). You who have not the conduct of sages, watch carefully over the words of your mouth; guard those of your neighbours who do not know (the danger they may run); they who know (this law), speak soft-toned pleasing words.”

“He abused me, he reviled me, he beat me, he subdued me;” he who keeps this in his mind, and who feels resentment, will find no peace.

“He abused me, he reviled me, he beat me, he subdued me;” he who keeps not this in his mind, and is not resentful, will find peace.

He who shows hatred to those who hate will never be at peace; he who is patient with those who hate will find peace; this is the spirit of religion.

He who bears ill-will to those who bear ill-will can never become pure; but he who feels no ill-will, pacifies them who hate: as hatred brings misery to mankind, the sage knows no hatred.

If a man find a wise companion, who is both steadfast and pure, let him, having overcome all corruption, associate with him, thoughtful and glad.

If a man find not a wise companion, who is both steadfast and pure, like a king abandoning his broad kingdom, let him live alone and commit no sin.

If a man find not a good friend who leads a life like unto his own, let him resolutely keep a solitary life, and not associate with a fool.

It is better to live a lonely life than to have companionship with the fool; casting off all taxation of mind, one lives alone, like the elephant of the Mātanga forest.

Chapter on Hatred, the Fourteenth.

Translated by Woodville Rockhill.

1975, Udânavarga: a collection of verses from the Buddhist canon compiled by Dharmatrâta, Oriental Press, Amsterdam (reprint of original from 1883).

Translated (into Tibetan) by the Indian Pandit Vidyaprabhakara and the Lotsāva Bande-rin-tchen-mtchog; revised and arranged by the corrector, the Lotsāva Bande-dpal-brtsegs.

Original taken from University of Oslo, faculty of humanities.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Yasoj and Ayya Vimala.