Appamadavagga

Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Dhammapada

PTS: Dhp 21-32

Source: Adapted from the original translation by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Appamadavagga: Heedfulness
21-24*. Heedfulness:    the path to the Deathless. Heedlessness: the path to death. The heedful do not die. The heedless are as if   already dead. Knowing this as a true distinction, those wise in heedfulness rejoice    in heedfulness, enjoying the range of the noble ones.

The enlightened, constantly absorbed in jhana, persevering, firm in their effort: they touch Unbinding, the unexcelled safety from bondage.

Those with initiative, mindful, clean in action, acting with due consideration, heedful, restrained, living the Dhamma: their glory grows.

25. Through initiative, heedfulness, restraint, & self-control, the wise would make an island no flood can submerge.

26. They're addicted to heedlessness -- dullards, fools -- while one who is wise cherishes heedfulness as his highest wealth.

27. Don't give way to heedlessness or to intimacy with sensual delight -- for a heedful person, absorbed in jhana, attains an abundance of ease.

28. When the wise person drives out heedlessness with heedfulness, having climbed the high tower of discernment, sorrow-free, he observes the sorrowing crowd -- as the enlightened man, having scaled a summit, the fools on the ground below.

29. Heedful among the heedless, wakeful among those asleep, just as a fast horse advances, leaving the weak behind: so the wise.

30. Through heedfulness, Indra won to lordship over the gods. Heedfulness is praised, heedlessness censured -- always.

31-32. The monk delighting in heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness, advances like a fire, burning fetters great & small. The monk delighting in heedfulness, seeing danger in heedlessness -- incapable of falling back -- stands right on the verge of Unbinding.

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Copyright © 1997 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Vipassana edition © 1997.

Wikipitaka edition © 2006.

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