2.8. Dharma as a Boat (SNP2.8)

As devas do venerate their lord, Indra king,
so likewise to that person from whom one knows Dharma,
respected, clear-minded, and very learned too,
that teacher makes manifest the words of the Dharma.

This having considered then, the wise person,
while practising Dharma according with Dharma,
becomes learned, intelligent, subtle-minded too,
by diligently dwelling with one who is Such.

But by following the foolish, inferior fellow,
who’s not found Dharma’s goal, while envious of others,
to death one will come before Dharma knowing,
not having crossed over (the river of doubts).

Just as a person going into a river
swollen in flood and very swiftly flowing,
would be carried away by the force of the current—
then how can this person help others across?

So it’s the same with the unpractised person,
who knows not the Dharma as explained by the wise,
sans knowledge profound, not crossed over doubting:
how could this person cause others to Know?

But one who does on a strong boat embark,
furnished with oars and rudder complete,
as skilled in the means, with wisdom as well,
that one can take so many others across.

Of mind developed deeply, one who Knows truly,
one of great learning, or unshakeable Dharma,
other people can lead who possess the capacity
to listen attentively and penetrate deeply.

Therefore be sure to frequent a True person,
an intelligent one who is of great learning,
realized in the meaning, practised on the Path,
a Knower of Dharma attained to the Bliss.

Translated by Laurence Khantipalo Mills.

This translation was edited by Bhikkhu Sujato as part of the full translation of the Sutta Nipāta with commentary prepared from a draft handwritten and typed manuscript of Laurence Khantipalo Mills in 2015. The project was managed by Laurence’s students Michael Wells and Gary Dellora, and initial digitizing of the text was by Sean Read. Full text is available at https://suttacentral.net/downloads

In addition to the suttas noted, Bhikkhu Sujato also translated verses 46, 78, 232, 465, 500, 589–597, 865, 885–890, 894–5, 897–901, 902–916, and 919–921.

This text is released dedicated to the Public Domain by way of Creative Commons Zero. No rights reserved.