22. The Hearer (UV-KG22)

To listen attentively, to live righteously, to give up a home for a state of happiness, to consent to give up all, these are alike praiseworthy in a Śramana.

The fool, who knows not, behaves as if he was immortal; the wise man applies himself day and night to the holy law.

If a person enters into a house wrapped in darkness, though he has eyes he cannot see objects that are (in it); so likewise though a man is well born and has intelligence, if he hears not the law of vice and of virtue he cannot have wisdom.

Like a man who, having eyes and who bearing also a lamp, sees all objects, is he who has heard the law of vice and of virtue; he will become perfectly wise.

They who hearken acquire knowledge of the law; they who hearken turn away from sin; they who hearken give up all evil-doers; they who hearken find nirvāṇa.

If one has heard much but observes not the moral laws (śīla), he, because he disdains the moral laws, is not the best kind of hearer.

If one has heard little but does carefully observe the moral laws, he, because he honours the moral laws, is the best kind of hearer.

He who listens but little and he who observes not the moral laws, both of these, by reason of their disrespect fulness, lead not the best of lives.

He who has heard and he who carefully observes the moral laws, both of these, by reason of their reverence, lead the best of lives.

They who have heard much and who understand the law, who are wise and well composed, no one can scorn them, for they are like a jewel of gold of Djambudvipa.

He who describes me in his speech, having judged me (only) by outward appearance (lit. form), that man is held by lust and does not know me.

If one has a thorough knowledge of the inner (qualities of the Buddha), but has not seen the outer (perfections of his person), let him, having perceived the inner fruits, be candid in his language.

If one has seen the outer (perfections of the Buddha), but has not a knowledge of the inner (qualities of his doctrine), let him, having perceived the apparent fruit, be candid in his language.

If one has no knowledge of the inner (qualities), and has not perceived the outer (perfections of my person), a fool in utter darkness, let him be candid in his language.

If one has a thorough knowledge of the inner (qualities), and has seen the outer (perfections), a sage who knows the way to salvation, let him be candid in his language.

Though the ear hears much and the eye sees many things, all they who do hear and see the doctrine, do not believe.

Though a man has inwardly digested the well-spoken words he has heard, and has acquired the essence of meditation, if he acts corruptly his hearing and understanding will avail him nothing.

They who delight in the law taught by the elect, who follow it in body and speech, who delight in the society of the patient, who control their senses, they will obtain the reward of hearing and of understanding.

Chapter on “The Hearer” the Twenty-second.

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.