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Mind & Meditation |
Mind & Meditation
Mind is the forerunner of all evil states.
Mind is chief; mind-made are they.
If one speaks or acts with wicked mind,
Because of that, suffering follows one,
Even as the wheel follows the hoof of the draught-ox.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 1)
Mind is the forerunner of all good states.
Mind is chief; mind-made are they.
If one speaks or acts with pure mind,
Because of that, happiness follows one,
Even as one’s shadow that never leaves.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 2)
Even as rain penetrates an ill-thatched house,
So does lust penetrate an undeveloped mind.
Even as rain does not penetrate a well-thatched house,
So does lust not penetrate a well-developed mind.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 13, 14)
Whatever harm a foe may do to a foe, or a hater to a hater,
An ill-directed mind can do one far greater harm.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 42)
What neither mother, nor father, nor any other relative can do,
A well-directed mind does and thereby elevates one.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 43)
Verily, from meditation arises wisdom.
Without meditation wisdom wanes.
Knowing this two-fold path of gain and loss,
Let one so conduct oneself that wisdom may increase.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 282)
There is no concentration in one who lacks wisdom,
Nor is there wisdom in him who lacks concentration.
In whom are both concentration and wisdom,
He, indeed, is in the presence of Nibbana.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 372)
Though one should live a thousand years, immoral and uncontrolled,
Yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who is moral and meditative.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 110)
Though one should live a hundred years without wisdom and control,
Yet better, indeed, is a single day's life of one who is wise and meditative.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 111)
The mind is very difficult to control;
Swiftly and lightly, it moves and lands wherever it pleases.
It is good to tame the mind,
For a well-tamed mind brings happiness.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 35)
Faring far, wandering alone, bodiless, lying in a cave, is the mind.
Those who subdue it are freed from the bond of Mara.
~ The Buddha (Dhpd. 37)
See Topics 29 & 30 for a more detailed discussion on this subject.
The source for the above material:
K. Sri Dhammananda. The Dhammapada. Copyright © 1988 by Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, 123, Jalan Berhala, 50470, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Used with permission.
Mind & Meditation |
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