dhp334:0.1Minor Collection
dhp334:0.2Sayings of the Dhamma 334–359
dhp334:0.324. Craving
dhp334:1When a man lives heedlessly,
dhp334:2craving grows in them like a camel’s foot creeper.
dhp334:3They jump from one thing to the next, like a langur
dhp334:4greedy for fruit in a forest grove.
dhp335:1Whoever is beaten by this wretched craving,
dhp335:2this attachment to the world,
dhp335:3their sorrow grows,
dhp335:4like grass in the rain.
dhp336:1But whoever prevails over this wretched craving,
dhp336:2so hard to get over in the world,
dhp336:3their sorrows fall from them,
dhp336:4like a drop from a lotus-leaf.
dhp337:1I say this to you, good people,
dhp337:2all those who have gathered here:
dhp337:3dig up the root of craving,
dhp337:4as you’d dig up grass in search of roots.
dhp337:5Don’t let Māra break you again and again,
dhp337:6like a stream breaking a reed.
dhp338:1A tree grows back even when cut down,
dhp338:2so long as its roots are strong and undamaged;
dhp338:3suffering springs up again and again,
dhp338:4so long as the tendency to craving is not pulled out.
dhp339:1A person of low views
dhp339:2in whom the thirty-six streams
dhp339:3that flow to pleasure are mighty,
dhp339:4is swept away by lustful thoughts.
dhp340:1The streams flow everywhere;
dhp340:2a weed springs up and remains.
dhp340:3Seeing this weed that has been born,
dhp340:4cut the root with wisdom.
dhp341:1A personage’s joys
dhp341:2flow from senses and cravings.
dhp341:3Seekers of happiness, bent on pleasure,
dhp341:4continue to be reborn and grow old.
dhp342:1People governed by thirst,
dhp342:2crawl about like a trapped rabbit.
dhp342:3Bound and fettered, for a long time
dhp342:4they return to pain time and again.
dhp343:1People governed by thirst,
dhp343:2crawl about like a trapped rabbit.
dhp343:3That’s why one who longs for dispassion
dhp343:4should dispel thirst.
dhp344:1Unsnarled, they set out for the jungle,
dhp344:2then they run right back to the jungle they left behind.
dhp344:3Just look at this individual!
dhp344:4Freed, they run to bondage.
dhp345:1The attentive say that shackle is not strong
dhp345:2that’s made of iron, wood, or knots.
dhp345:3But obsession with jeweled earrings,
dhp345:4concern for your partners and children:
dhp346:1this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle
dhp346:2dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape.
dhp346:3Having cut this one too they go forth,
dhp346:4unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.
dhp347:1Besotted by lust they fall into the stream,
dhp347:2like a spider caught in the web she wove.
dhp347:3The attentive proceed, having cut this one too,
dhp347:4unconcerned, having given up all suffering.
dhp348:1Let go of the past, let go of the future,
dhp348:2let go of the present, having gone beyond rebirth.
dhp348:3With your heart freed in every respect,
dhp348:4you’ll not come again to rebirth and old age.
dhp349:1For a personage churned by thoughts,
dhp349:2very lustful, focusing on beauty,
dhp349:3their craving grows and grows,
dhp349:4tying them with a stout bond.
dhp350:1But one who loves to calm their thoughts,
dhp350:2developing perception of ugliness, ever mindful,
dhp350:3will surely eliminate that craving,
dhp350:4cutting off the bonds of Māra.
dhp351:1One who is confident, unafraid,
dhp351:2rid of craving, free of blemish,
dhp351:3having struck down the arrows flying to future lives,
dhp351:4this bag of bones is their last.
dhp352:1Rid of craving, free of grasping,
dhp352:2expert in the definition of terms,
dhp352:3knowing the correct
dhp352:4structure and sequence of syllables,
dhp352:5they are said to be one who bears their final body,
dhp352:6one of great wisdom, a great person.
dhp353:1I am the vanquisher of all, the knower of all,
dhp353:2unsullied in the midst of all things.
dhp353:3I’ve given up all, freed in the ending of craving.
dhp353:4Since I know for myself, whose follower should I be?
dhp354:1The gift of the teaching surmounts all other gifts;
dhp354:2the taste of the teaching surmounts all other tastes;
dhp354:3the joy of the teaching surmounts all other joys;
dhp354:4the ending of craving surmounts all suffering.
dhp355:1Riches ruin a simpleton,
dhp355:2but not a seeker of the far shore.
dhp355:3From craving for wealth, a simpleton
dhp355:4ruins themselves and others.
dhp356:1Weeds are the bane of crops,
dhp356:2but greed is these folk’s bane.
dhp356:3That’s why a gift to one rid of greed
dhp356:4is so very fruitful.
dhp357:1Weeds are the bane of crops,
dhp357:2but hate is these folk’s bane.
dhp357:3That’s why a gift to one rid of hate
dhp357:4is so very fruitful.
dhp358:1Weeds are the bane of crops,
dhp358:2but delusion is these folk’s bane.
dhp358:3That’s why a gift to one rid of delusion
dhp358:4is so very fruitful.
dhp359:1Weeds are the bane of crops,
dhp359:2but desire is these folk’s bane.
dhp359:3That’s why a gift to one rid of desire
dhp359:4is so very fruitful.