The Chapter about the Path (DHP273-289)

The eightfold is the best of paths, four principles the best of truths,
passionlessness the best of states, the Visionary the best of men.

This is the path, there is no other, for insight and for purity,
you should enter upon this path, this is the confounding of Māra.

Having entered upon this path you will make an end to suffering,
the path was declared by me, the removal of the dart by knowledge.

Your duty is to have ardour declare the Realised Ones,
entering this path meditators will be released from the bonds of Māra.

All conditions are impermanent, when one sees this with wisdom,
then one grows tired of suffering – this is the path to purity.

All conditions are suffering, when one sees this with wisdom,
then one grows tired of suffering – this is the path to purity.

All components of mind and body are without self, when one sees this with wisdom,
then one grows tired of suffering – this is the path to purity.

The one who has not energy at a time for energy,
youthful, strong, but given to laziness,
whose mind lacks right intention and is indolent –
the lazy one does not find wisdom’s path.

Verbally guarded, well-restrained in mind,
not doing a wrong deed with the body,
one should purify these three paths of action,
one should undertake the path shown by seers.

From effort arises wisdom, without effort wisdom is destroyed,
having understood these two paths of development and decline,
one should establish oneself so that one’s wisdom increases.

Cut down the forest of defilements not just a tree, from the forest arises a danger,
having cut down the forest and thicket, you should be without forests, monastics.

For as long as an atom of desire
of a man for a woman is not cut down,
for just so long is the mind in bondage,
like a calf in bondage to mother’s milk.

Cut off any affection for one’s self,
like an autumn lotus plucked with the hand,
develop fully the path to peace and
Nibbāna taught by the Fortunate One.

“Here I will dwell during the rains, here during winter and summer”,
in just such a way a fool thinks, not understanding the danger.

That person whose mind is attached and besotted by cattle and children,
is snatched away by death just as a sleeping village by a great flood.

Children are not a refuge, nor fathers, not even kin,
for one overcome by the End-Maker there is no refuge in relatives.

Understanding the truth of this the wise one, endowed with virtue,
should quickly purify the path that is leading to Nibbāna.

Translated by Ānandajoti Bhikkhu.

2nd edition, November 2017.

The text and translation, together with detailed notes and discussions, may be found in multiple formats on the translator’s website, Ancient Buddhist Texts.

Used by kind permission of Bhikkhu Ānandajoti.

The original translation was released under the following licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Aminah Borg-Luck.