The Preference Chapter (DHP209-220)

Collection of Minor Texts

Verses of Dhamma

The Preference Chapter

One who is dedicated to that which is not worthy of dedication,

and who is not dedicated to that which is worthy of dedication,

has dropped the goal and grabbed their preferences -

yet envies those who are intent upon self-development.

Don’t get caught up in what you prefer

or in what you do not prefer.

Not seeing what you prefer is hard to bear

and so is seeing what you do not prefer.

Therefore don’t form any preference;

loss of what one prefers is painful.

One who has no attachments

has no preferences.

Sorrow is born from preference,

fear is born from preference;

one who is free from preference

has no sorrow and no fear.

Sorrow is born from affection,

fear is born from affection;

one who is free from affection

has no sorrow and no fear.

Sorrow is born from partiality,

fear is born from partiality;

one who is free from partiality

has no sorrow and no fear.

Sorrow is born from sensuality,

fear is born from sensuality;

one who is free from sensuality

has no sorrow and no fear.

Sorrow is born from craving,

fear is born from craving;

one who is free from craving

has no sorrow and no fear.

One who has perfect morality and wisdom,

who is established in the Dhamma and understands truth,

and who works on themself -

this is the kind of person that the populace prefers.

Interested in the inexpressible,

with an expanded mind,

and not bound by sensuality -

such a one is said be going upstream.

When a person who has been away for a long time

arrives safely from afar,

their relatives, friends, and loved ones

delight in that arrival.

In the same way, when one who has made merit

goes from this world to the next,

they are received by their merit

like the arrival of a beloved relative.