The Dhammapada · Buddhist Sutras

Chapter 4: Flowers

The Dhammapada · 16 verses

Chapter 4 of the Dhammapada — “Flowers” — the Buddha's most widely read collection of verses, in a classic public domain translation. It opens: “Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama (the lord of the departed), and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the…” — all 16 verses are below, free to read online.

1Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama (the lord of the departed), and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the plainly shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower?

2The disciple will overcome the earth, and the world of Yama, and the world of the gods. The disciple will find out the plainly shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the (right) flower.

3He who knows that this body is like froth, and has learnt that it is as unsubstantial as a mirage, will break the flower-pointed arrow of Māra, and never see the king of death.

4Death carries off a man who is gathering flowers and whose mind is distracted, as a flood carries off a sleeping village.

5Death subdues a man who is gathering flowers, and whose mind is distracted, before he is satiated in his pleasures.

6As the bee collects nectar and departs without injuring the flower, or its colour or scent, so let a sage dwell in his village.

7Not the perversities of others, not their sins of commission or omission, but his own misdeeds and negligences should a sage take notice of.

8Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without scent, are the fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly.

9But, like a beautiful flower, full of colour and full of scent, are the fine and fruitful words of him who acts accordingly.

10As many kinds of wreaths can be made from a heap of flowers, so many good things may be achieved by a mortal when once he is born.

11The scent of flowers does not travel against the wind, nor (that of) sandal-wood, or of Tagara and Mallikā flowers; but the odour of good people travels even against the wind; a good man pervades every place.

12Sandal-wood or Tagara, a lotus-flower, or a Vassikī, among these sorts of perfumes, the perfume of virtue is unsurpassed.

13Mean is the scent that comes from Tagara and sandal-wood; — the perfume of those who possess virtue rises up to the gods as the highest.

14Of the people who possess these virtues, who live without thoughtlessness, and who are emancipated through true knowledge, Māra, the tempter, never finds the way.

15As on a heap of rubbish cast upon the highway the lily will grow full of sweet perfume and delight,

16thus the disciple of the truly enlightened Buddha shines forth by his knowledge among those who are like rubbish, among the people that walk in darkness.

16 verses · classic public domain translation

‹ Ch. 3: Thought Ch. 5: The Fool ›

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