Book XXI. Miscellaneous, Pakiṇṇaka Vagga
290
If by renouncing some trifling pleasure one can obtain pleasure abounding,
A wise man should consider pleasure abounding and renounce the trifling pleasure.
291
Whoever by causing suffering to others seeks to win happiness for himself,
Becomes entangled in the bonds of hate; such a man is never freed from hatred.
292, 293
For that which should be done is left undone;
And that is done which should be left undone;
The Impurities of the arrogant and heedless ever increase.
But they that ever devote themselves to Meditation on the Body,
They follow not after that which should be left undone,
But persevere in that which should be done;
The Impurities of the thoughtful and intelligent come to an end.
294, 295
After killing a mother and a father, and two kings of the Warrior caste,
After destroying a kingdom with its inhabitants, scatheless goes the Brahman.
After killing a mother and a father, two Brahman kings,
And an eminent man besides, scatheless goes the Brahman.
296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301
Well awake and watchful ever are the disciples of Gotama,
They that meditate constantly, both by day and by night, on the Buddha.
Well awake and watchful ever are the disciples of Gotama,
They that meditate constantly, both by day and by night, on the Law.
Well awake and watchful ever are the disciples of Gotama,
They that meditate constantly, both by day and by night, on the Order.
Well awake and watchful ever are the disciples of Gotama,
They that meditate constantly, both by day and by night, on the body.
Well awake and watchful ever are the disciples of Gotama,
They whose minds delight, both by day and by night, in non-injury.
Well awake and watchful ever are the disciples of Gotama,
They whose minds delight, both by day and by night, in meditation.
302
Fraught with hardship is the life of a monk, and hard to enjoy.
Fraught with hardship is life in the world. Houses are painful to live in.
Painful is it to dwell together with unequals. Suffering follows wayfarers in the round of existences.
Therefore one should not be such a wayfarer; one should not let suffering follow him.
303
If a man be faithful, endued with virtue, possessed of fame and wealth,
He may go to what place he will, and there, wherever it may be, he is honored.
304
From afar are manifest the good, like the Himalaya mountains;
They that lack goodness are not seen here, like arrows shot in darkness.
305
He who sits alone, lodges alone, and walks alone, unwearied,
He who, alone, subdues himself, such a man will delight in the outskirts of the forest.