24. Numbers (or Comparisons) (UV-KG24)

It is better to speak one word of sense which brings one nigh unto peace, than to recite a hundred gāthās which are without sense.

It is better to speak one word of the law which brings one nigh unto peace, than to recite a hundred gāthās which are not of the law.

He who lives a hundred years violating all his vows, a life of one single day is better if one observes all his vows.

He who lives a hundred years in laziness and slothfulness, a life of one single day is better if one exerts oneself to zealous application.

He who lives a hundred years, his mind without aim or object, a life of one single day is better if one is wise and well composed.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving birth and dissolution, a life of one single day is better if one perceives birth and dissolution.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving the ending of perception (vedanā), a life of one single day is better if one perceives the ending of perception.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving the end of sin (āsrava), a life of one single day is better if one perceives the end of sin.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving the unchanging place, a life of one single day is better if one perceives the unchanging place (nirvāṇa).

He who lives a hundred years without knowing the ideal knowledge that is hard (to arrive at), a life of one single day is better if one knows the ideal knowledge that is hard (to arrive at).

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving what is most exalted, a life of one single day is better if one perceives what is most exalted.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving the perfection of the holy (law), a life of one single day is better if one perceives the perfection of the holy (law, i.e., nirvāṇa).

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving the perfect cessation of death, a life of one single day is better if one perceives the perfect cessation of death.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving the most perfect amrita, a life of one single day is better if one perceives the most perfect amrita.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving perfect passionlessness, a life of one single day is better if one perceives perfect passionlessness.

He who lives a hundred years without perceiving the perfect absence of passion, a life of one single day is better if one perceives the perfect absence of passion (raga).

If a man live for a hundred years in a forest, wholly relying on the fire (Agni), and if he but for one single moment pays homage to a man who meditates on the self, this homage is greater than sacrifices for a hundred years.

He who month after month eats his food with a tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who has faith in the Buddha.

He who month after month eats his food with a tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who has faith in the holy law.

He who month after month eats his food with a tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who has faith in the church (Sangha).

He who month after month eats his food with a tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who is merciful to sentient creatures.

He who month after month eats his food with a tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who is merciful to animated creatures.

He who month after month eats his food with a tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who is merciful to beings (bhuta).

He who month after month eats his food with the tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who seeks to show kindness.

He who month after month eats his food with the tip (of a blade) of kuśa grass, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who explains well the holy law.

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who has faith in the Buddha.

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who has faith in the holy law.

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who has faith in the church (Sangha).

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who is merciful to sentient creatures.

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who is merciful to animated creatures.

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who is merciful to beings (bhuta).

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who seeks to show kindness.

He who for a hundred years makes a thousand sacrifices each month, is not worth the sixteenth part of him who explains well the holy law.

No matter what sacrifice a man may offer in this world to acquire merit, it is not worth the quarter of doing homage to one who has a quieted and upright mind.

Chapter on “Numbers,” the Twenty-fourth.

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.