Let us live in joy, never hating those who hate us. Let us live in freedom, without hatred even among those who hate.Let us live in joy, never falling sick like those who are sick. Let us live in freedom, without disease even among those who are ill.
Let us live in joy, never attached among those who are selfishly attached. Let us live in freedom even among those who are bound by selfish attachments.
Let us live in joy, never hoarding things even among those who hoard. Let us live in growing joy like the bright gods.
Conquest breeds hatred, for the conquered live in sorrow. Let us be neither conqueror nor conquered, and live in peace and joy.
There is no fire like lust, no sickness like hatred, no sorrow like separateness, no joy like peace. No disease is worse than greed, no suffering worse than selfish passion. Know this, and seek nirvana as the highest joy.
Health is the best gift, contentment the best wealth, trust the best kinsman, nirvana the greatest joy. Drink the nectar of the dharma in the depths of meditation, and become free from fear and sin.
It is good to meet the wise, even better to live with them. But avoid the company of the immature if you want joy.
Keeping company with the immature is like going on a long journey with an enemy. The company of the wise is joyful, like reunion with one's family. Therefore, live among the wise, who are understanding, patient, responsible, and noble. Keep their company like the moon moving among the stars.
--Chapter 15 of The Dhammapada, translated by Eknath Easwaran
2 comments:
This wouldn't be directly related to a certain meeting in New Orleans, would it?
Thank you for this.
Speaking of Buddhist wisdom, I have just started (re)reading Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart...
Dear Jane,
The posting is not coiincidental.
While I feel passionately about the issues, my passions are not free from sin. I should like everyone to take a giant chill pill. Yes, justice and holiness are both important. And in the end, they will, I am as certain as I can be of things I don't really know, prove to be quite unlike what we think they are. And our noisy brawls don't amount to ant turds in the eyes of the Holy One.
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