Dhammatthavagga

Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Dhammapada

PTS: Dhp 256-272

Source: Adapted from the original translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Dhammatthavagga: The Judge
256-257. To pass judgment hurriedly doesn't mean you're a judge. The wise one, weighing both the right judgment & wrong, judges others impartially -- unhurriedly, in line with the Dhamma, guarding the Dhamma, guarded by Dhamma, intelligent: he's called a judge.

258-259. Simply talking a lot doesn't mean one is wise. Whoever's secure -- no hostility, fear -- is said to be wise.

Simply talking a lot doesn't maintain the Dhamma. Whoever -- although he's heard next to nothing -- sees Dhamma through his body, is not heedless of Dhamma: he's one who maintains the Dhamma.

260-261. A head of gray hairs doesn't mean one's an elder. Advanced in years, one's called an old fool. But one in whom there is truth, restraint, rectitude, gentleness, self-control -- he's called an elder, his impurities disgorged, enlightened.

262-263. Not by suave conversation or lotus-like coloring does an envious, miserly cheat become an exemplary man. But one in whom this is cut through up-rooted wiped out -- he's called exemplary, his aversion disgorged, intelligent.

264-265. A shaven head doesn't mean a contemplative. The liar observing no duties, filled with greed & desire: what kind of contemplative's he?

But whoever tunes out the dissonance of his evil qualities -- large or small -- in every way by bringing evil to consonance: he's called a contemplative.

266-267. Begging from others doesn't mean one's a monk. As long as one follows householders' ways, one is no monk at all.

But whoever puts aside both merit & evil and, living the chaste life, judiciously goes through the world: he's called a monk.

268-269. Not by silence does someone confused & unknowing turn into a sage. But whoever -- wise, as if holding the scales, taking the excellent -- rejects evil deeds: he is a sage, that's how he's a sage. Whoever can weigh both sides of the world: that's how he's called a sage.

270. Not by harming life does one become noble. One is termed noble for being gentle to all living things.

271-272. Monk, don't on account of your precepts & practices, great erudition, concentration attainments, secluded dwelling, or the thought, 'I touch the renunciate ease that run-of-the-mill people don't know': ever let yourself get complacent when the ending of effluents is still unattained.

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Copyright © 1997 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Buddhism Today edition © 1997

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