16. Miscellaneous (UV-KG16)

When you feel inclined to do a thing, commence by examining it: “If I had only done thus at first, one wishes when it is too late.

“I would have seen the real nature of desire, and that it becomes a fetter;” let one watch what he does as long as he is striving after perfection.

By application and diligence one will make oneself an island. Remove thine impurities as does the smith those of the silver: thine impurities removed and free from sin, thou shalt find no more birth and old age.

(316, 317). He who is ashamed of what is not shameful, and not ashamed of what is shameful, who fears what is not fearful, and who fears not what is fearful, that man has wrong views and will be lost.

He who formerly was heedless and who afterwards has become careful, like the moon free from clouds, he brightens up the whole world.

He who formerly was heedless and who afterwards has become careful will by reflecting leave behind him the desires of this world.

He who has entered the priesthood when young and who follows the doctrines of the Buddha, like the moon free from clouds, he brightens up the whole world.

He who is a young priest and who follows the doctrine of the Buddha will by reflecting leave behind him the desires of this world.

He who covers up his evil deeds by good deeds brightens up the whole of this world like the moon free from clouds.

He who covers up his evil deeds by good deeds will by reflecting leave behind him the desires of this world.

He who delights not in life, finds no sorrow in death; he knows the reward of earnestness, and is without pain even in the midst of sorrow.

He who delights not in life finds no sorrow in death: he knows the reward of earnestness, and is a shining light to the rest of his relatives.

The Bhixu who by meditating on virtue has cast off sin leaves his home for a homeless condition, which is the true field of activity, and then, having learnt what is real joy, he casts off every desire.

One whose heart is always pure, pure by always confessing his sins, in every act observing the way of purity, will reach perfection.

'Tis weeds that do damage a field, 'tis passions that damage mankind; he therefore who gives to them who are without passions will receive a great reward.

'Tis weeds that do damage a field, 'tis hatred that does damage mankind; he therefore who gives to them who are without hatred will receive a great reward.

'Tis weeds that do damage a field, 'tis ignorance that does damage mankind; he therefore who gives to them who are without ignorance will receive a great reward.

'Tis weeds that do damage a field, 'tis selfishness that does damage mankind; he therefore who gives to them who are without selfishness will receive a great reward.

'Tis weeds that do damage a field, 'tis lust that does damage mankind; he therefore who gives to them who are without lust will receive a great reward.

'Tis weeds that do damage a field, 'tis desire (trīchnā) that does damage mankind; he therefore who gives to them who are without desires will receive a great reward.

(These) six are lord and master. If one is given to passion (rāga), he has (all) the passions; if one is without passion (rāga), he is without (any of) the passions. He who is passionate is called a fool.

When a citadel has been made of bones, plastered over with flesh and blood, passion, hatred, and selfishness dwell together in it.

They who do not perceive the source from whence comes all their misery are held in bondage; they who have found it out leave the waters (of sin) and cross over to the other side, where they are free from passions.

Chapter on Miscellanies, the Sixteenth.

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.