The Dhammapada · Buddhist Sutras

Chapter 2: On Earnestness

The Dhammapada · 12 verses

On earnestness: “Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvāṇa), thoughtlessness the path of death” — the Buddha's call to wakefulness.

1Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvāṇa), thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not die, those who are thoughtless are as if dead already.

2Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this clearly, delight in earnestness, and rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas (the elect).

3These wise people, meditative, steady, always possessed of strong powers, attain to Nirvāṇa, the highest happiness.

4If an earnest person has roused himself, if he is not forgetful, if his deeds are pure, if he acts with consideration, if he restrains himself, and lives according to law, — then his glory will increase.

5By rousing himself, by earnestness, by restraint and control, the wise man may make for himself an island which no flood can overwhelm.

6Fools follow after vanity, men of evil wisdom. The wise man keeps earnestness as his best jewel.

7Follow not after vanity, nor after the enjoyment of love and lust! He who is earnest and meditative, obtains ample joy.

8When the learned man drives away vanity by earnestness, he, the wise, climbing the terraced heights of wisdom, looks down upon the fools, serene he looks upon the toiling crowd, as one that stands on a mountain looks down upon them that stand upon the plain.

9Earnest among the thoughtless, awake among the sleepers, the wise man advances like a racer, leaving behind the hack.

10By earnestness did Maghavan (Indra) rise to the lordship of the gods. People praise earnestness; thoughtlessness is always blamed.

11A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in earnestness, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, moves about like fire, burning all his fetters, small or large.

12A Bhikshu (mendicant) who delights in reflection, who looks with fear on thoughtlessness, cannot fall away (from his perfect state) — he is close upon Nirvāṇa. [Ed.: Position of this note is not clear]

12 verses · classic public domain translation

‹ Ch. 1: The Twin Verses Ch. 3: Thought ›

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