Chapter 01: The Pairs (Dichotomies)

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🎧 (EN | 9:07) Chapter 01: The Dichotomies (Pairs) [both translations (fronsdal, achyara)]

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In traditional Buddhist list of six senses and their respective objects, “mano” refers to the sixth sense, cognitive consciousness, and “dhamma” refers to what is cognized, that is, anything within the sphere of empirical experience. Dhamma can also refer more specifically to mental states, as the word has been rendered in some other English translation of these verses.

The Dhammapada Chapter 1: Dichotomies (the pairs, yamaka vagga, twins)

All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a corrupted mind and suffering follows as the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox. (1)

All experience is preceded by the mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a peaceful mind and happiness follows like a never-departing shadow. (2)

“He abused me, attacked me, defeated me, robbed me!” For those carrying on like this (victim mentality), hatred does not end. (3)

“She abused me, attacked me, defeated me, robbed me!” For those carrying on like this, hatred ends. (4)

Hatred never ends through hatred. By non-hate alone does it end. By non-hate alone does it end. This is an ancient truth. (5)

Many do not realize that we here must die. For those who realize this, quarrels end. (6)

Whoever lives focused on the pleasant, senses unguarded, immoderate with food, lazy and sluggish, will be overpowered by Mãra as a weak tree is bent in the wind. (7)

Whoever lives focused on the unpleasant, senses guarded, moderate with food, faithful and diligent, will not be overpowered by Mãra, as a stone mountain ⛰️ is unmoved by the wind 💨. (8)

Whoever is defiled and devoid of self-control and truth, yet wears the saffron robe, is unworthy of the saffron robe. (9)

Whoever has purged the defilements, is self-controlled, truthful, and well-established in virtue, is worthy of the saffron robe. (10)

Those who consider the inessential to be essential and see the essential as inessential don’t reach the essential, living in the field of wrong intention ❌. (11)

Those who know the essential to be essential and the inessential as inessential reach the essential, living in the field of right intention ✅. (12)

As rain 🌧️ penetrates an ill-thatched house, so lust penetrates an uncultivated mind 🧠. (13)

As rain does not penetrate a well-thatched house ☁️, so lust does not penetrate a cultivated mind. (14)

One who does evil grieves in this life, grieves in the next, grieves in both worlds. Seeing one’s one defiled acts brings grief and affliction. (15)

One who makes merit rejoices in this life, rejoices in the next, rejoices in both worlds. Seeing one’s own pure acts brings joy and delight. (16)

One who does evil is tormented in this life, tormented in the next, is tormented in both worlds. Here he is tormented knowing he has done evil. Reborn in realms of woe, he is tormented all the more. (17)