9. Deeds (UV-KG9)

The man who gives up the one (great) law (i.e., truth), the means of gaining (happiness in) the other world, and who speaks lies, there is no evil that he will not do.

Better it would be that a man should eat a lump of flaming iron than that one who is unrestrained and who has broken his vows should live on the charity of the land.

If thou art filled with the dread of suffering, if there is naught agreeable for thee in suffering, do then no evil thing openly, or even in secret.

If thou hast done evil deeds, or if thou wouldst do them, thou mayest arise and run where'er thou wilt, but thou canst not free thyself of thy suffering.

There exists no spot on the earth, or in the sky, or in the sea, neither is there any in the mountain-clefts, where an (evil) deed does not bring trouble (to the doer).

When one has looked at those around him and has seen their wicked deeds, let him not do likewise; walk not in the way of sin.

He who commits crimes, who uses false measures, who hurts men, or who does any other similar deeds, will by walking in this path fall into a precipice.

Whatsoever a man has done, whether it be virtuous or sinful deeds, there are none that are of little importance; they all bear some kind of fruit.

As long as men are united, so long will they be the conquerors; but if they would be victorious by other means, they will find out that they will be conquered.

The fool who sees not this walks on in his wicked way, but he who does evil will find out his (mistake) in the other world.

The fool sees not that his evil deeds, when they shall have matured, will still be burning. Hereafter his deeds will torment him as if burnt by fire.

The fool of little understanding treats himself as he would an enemy; he does evil deeds which will bear burning fruit.

The deed which harms, and of which the reward is received with tears and a downcast face, that deed is not well done.

The deed which harms not, and of which the reward is received with joy and happiness, that deed is well done.

When a man in the pursuit of his pleasure accomplishes an evil deed, it brings smiles to his face; but when his evil deed has ripened, it brings him sorrow.

Surely an evil deed does not turn on a sudden like milk; it is like fire smouldering in the ashes, which burns the fool.

An evil deed kills not instantly, as does a sword, but it follows the evil-doer (even) into the next world.

How burning is (an evil deed) when it has arrived at maturity, the evil-doers will find out in the other world.

As iron, when the rust doth take hold of it, is eaten by it, so in like manner is the heedless man brought into the evil way by his own deed.

Chapter on Deeds, the Ninth.

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.