Dec31

Whatever an enemy can do to an enemy,
Or a rival to a rival,
A wrongly directed mind
Will do worse to you than that.

What mother or father cannot do,
Or any other kin,
A rightly directed mind
Will do better for you than that.

Dhammapada 42-3

These are some of my favourite verses from the Dhammapada, though in their apparent simplicity they are particularly difficult to translate. (The original Pali is given below.)

The verses are not downplaying the power of what family or friends can do for you, or the harm that an enemy can cause. Indeed, they are addressing a society in which there was little social help of any kind, and people were far more dependent on their families for everything than they tend to be today. And this of course was in addition to what mothers and fathers do in every society: giving life, feeding, nurturing, educating and so on. Even so, the verse says, there is something that no one else can do for you, however much they love you, and that is to free you from suffering. Only a well-directed mind can do that.

The turn of the year is a traditional time to make resolutions. Often we make resolutions and break them very quickly, because we are trying to force ourselves to become completely different people all at once. Such forcing rarely works, at least for very long. So my suggestion for a New Year’s resolution is that we should try to follow the advice given in these verses and direct our minds rightly – in the direction of freedom. We can try to bring a bit more awareness into our lives, in everyday actions as well as in any form of meditation we may do. Then gradually we will find our way to freedom, something that no friend can give us and no enemy can take away.

Wishing you a very happy and peaceful New Year for 2012. – Valerie

diso disaṃ yan taṃ kayirā verī vā pana verinaṃ
micchāpaṇihitaṃ cittaṃ pāpiyo naṃ tato kare.

na taṃ mātā pitā kayirā aññe vāpi ca ñātakā
sammāpaṇihitaṃ cittaṃ seyyaso naṃ tato kare.

Tags: Buddhism, Dhammapada, freedom, meditation, New Year, resolution, translation

Karaṇīya Metta Sutta

The Buddha’s Teaching on Loving Kindness

This is what to do if you know what is best for you
And seek to attain the place of peace:
Be able, upright—truly upright,
Easy to speak to, gentle, not arrogant,

Content, with needs easily met,
With few responsibilities, of simple livelihood,
With senses calmed, skilful,
Not proud, not possessive about families.

You should not do the slightest thing
For which other wise folk might reproach you.
Think: ‘Happy and at peace,
May all beings be happy-minded.

‘Whatever living things there are,
Without exception, weak or strong,
Tall, large, or medium-sized,
Small, atom-sized or huge,

‘Seen or unseen,
Living far or near,
Born or about to be born,
May all beings be happy-minded.

‘Let not one deceive another
Or despise another, anywhere;
Let not one wish evil on another,
Through anger or ill-will.’

Just as a mother would protect her own child,
Her only child, even with her life,
You should develop a limitless mind
Towards all beings.

You should develop a limitless mind,
Spread loving kindness to the whole world,
Above, below and across,
Without obstruction, enmity or hatred.

Standing, walking, sitting,
Or lying down, so long as you are awake,
You should maintain this awareness:
They call this Divine Abiding here.

So, not falling into wrong view,
Of good character, endowed with insight,
Giving up grasping for sense-pleasures,
You will not return to a womb again.

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Like a beautiful flower,

Colourful but scentless,

The well-taught word is fruitless

For one who does not practise.

Like a beautiful flower,

Colourful and fragrant,

The well-taught word is fruitful

For one who practises.

(vv. 51-2)

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Even finely painted royal chariots wear out:

Just so the body grows old.

The Dhamma of the good does not grow old.

Indeed, the good make it known to the good.

(v. 151)

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