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Dhammapada 334–359

Taṇhāvagga

24. Craving · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral

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Manujassa pamattacārino,
Taṇhā vaḍḍhati māluvā viya;
So plavatī hurā huraṁ,
Phalamicchaṁva vanasmi vānaro.

When a man lives heedlessly, craving grows in them like a camel’s foot creeper. They jump from one thing to the next, like a langur greedy for fruit in a forest grove.

Yaṁ esā sahate jammī,
taṇhā loke visattikā;
Sokā tassa pavaḍḍhanti,
abhivaṭṭhaṁva bīraṇaṁ.

Whoever is beaten by this wretched craving, this attachment to the world, their sorrow grows, like grass in the rain.

Yo cetaṁ sahate jammiṁ,
taṇhaṁ loke duraccayaṁ;
Sokā tamhā papatanti,
udabinduva pokkharā.

But whoever prevails over this wretched craving, so hard to get over in the world, their sorrows fall from them, like a drop from a lotus-leaf.

Taṁ vo vadāmi bhaddaṁ vo,
yāvantettha samāgatā;
Taṇhāya mūlaṁ khaṇatha,
usīratthova bīraṇaṁ;
Mā vo naḷaṁva sotova,
māro bhañji punappunaṁ.

I say this to you, good people, all those who have gathered here: dig up the root of craving, as you’d dig up grass in search of roots. Don’t let Māra break you again and again, like a stream breaking a reed.

Yathāpi mūle anupaddave daḷhe,
Chinnopi rukkho punareva rūhati;
Evampi taṇhānusaye anūhate,
Nibbattatī dukkhamidaṁ punappunaṁ.

A tree grows back even when cut down, so long as its roots are strong and undamaged; suffering springs up again and again, so long as the tendency to craving is not pulled out.

Yassa chattiṁsati sotā,
manāpasavanā bhusā;
Mahāvahanti duddiṭṭhiṁ,
saṅkappā rāganissitā.

A person of low views in whom the thirty-six streams that flow to pleasure are mighty, is swept away by lustful thoughts.

Savanti sabbadhi sotā,
latā uppajja tiṭṭhati;
Tañca disvā lataṁ jātaṁ,
mūlaṁ paññāya chindatha.

The streams flow everywhere; a weed springs up and remains. Seeing this weed that has been born, cut the root with wisdom.

Saritāni sinehitāni ca,
Somanassāni bhavanti jantuno;
Te sātasitā sukhesino,
Te ve jātijarūpagā narā.

A personage’s joys flow from senses and cravings. Seekers of happiness, bent on pleasure, continue to be reborn and grow old.

Tasiṇāya purakkhatā pajā,
Parisappanti sasova bandhito;
Saṁyojanasaṅgasattakā,
Dukkhamupenti punappunaṁ cirāya.

People governed by thirst, crawl about like a trapped rabbit. Bound and fettered, for a long time they return to pain time and again.

Tasiṇāya purakkhatā pajā,
Parisappanti sasova bandhito;
Tasmā tasiṇaṁ vinodaye,
Ākaṅkhanta virāgamattano.

People governed by thirst, crawl about like a trapped rabbit. That’s why one who longs for dispassion should dispel thirst.

Yo nibbanatho vanādhimutto,
Vanamutto vanameva dhāvati;
Taṁ puggalametha passatha,
Mutto bandhanameva dhāvati.

Unsnarled, they set out for the jungle, then they run right back to the jungle they left behind. Just look at this individual! Freed, they run to bondage.

Na taṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
Yadāyasaṁ dārujapabbajañca;
Sārattarattā maṇikuṇḍalesu,
Puttesu dāresu ca yā apekkhā.

The attentive say that shackle is not strong that’s made of iron, wood, or knots. But obsession with jeweled earrings, concern for your partners and children:

Etaṁ daḷhaṁ bandhanamāhu dhīrā,
Ohārinaṁ sithilaṁ duppamuñcaṁ;
Etampi chetvāna paribbajanti,
Anapekkhino kāmasukhaṁ pahāya.

this, say the attentive, is a strong shackle dragging the indulgent down, hard to escape. Having cut this one too they go forth, unconcerned, having given up sensual pleasures.

Ye rāgarattānupatanti sotaṁ,
Sayaṅkataṁ makkaṭakova jālaṁ;
Etampi chetvāna vajanti dhīrā,
Anapekkhino sabbadukkhaṁ pahāya.

Besotted by lust they fall into the stream, like a spider caught in the web she wove. The attentive proceed, having cut this one too, unconcerned, having given up all suffering.

Muñca pure muñca pacchato,
Majjhe muñca bhavassa pāragū;
Sabbattha vimuttamānaso,
Na punaṁ jātijaraṁ upehisi.

Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, having gone beyond rebirth. With your heart freed in every respect, you’ll not come again to rebirth and old age.

Vitakkamathitassa jantuno,
Tibbarāgassa subhānupassino;
Bhiyyo taṇhā pavaḍḍhati,
Esa kho daḷhaṁ karoti bandhanaṁ.

For a personage churned by thoughts, very lustful, focusing on beauty, their craving grows and grows, tying them with a stout bond.

Vitakkūpasame ca yo rato,
Asubhaṁ bhāvayate sadā sato;
Esa kho byanti kāhiti,
Esa checchati mārabandhanaṁ.

But one who loves to calm their thoughts, developing perception of ugliness, ever mindful, will surely eliminate that craving, cutting off the bonds of Māra.

Niṭṭhaṅgato asantāsī,
vītataṇho anaṅgaṇo;
Acchindi bhavasallāni,
antimoyaṁ samussayo.

One who is confident, unafraid, rid of craving, free of blemish, having struck down the arrows flying to future lives, this bag of bones is their last.

Vītataṇho anādāno,
Niruttipadakovido;
Akkharānaṁ sannipātaṁ,
Jaññā pubbāparāni ca;
Sa ve “antimasārīro,
Mahāpañño mahāpuriso”ti vuccati.

Rid of craving, free of grasping, expert in the definition of terms, knowing the correct structure and sequence of syllables, they are said to be one who bears their final body, one of great wisdom, a great person.

Sabbābhibhū sabbavidūhamasmi,
Sabbesu dhammesu anūpalitto;
Sabbañjaho taṇhakkhaye vimutto,
Sayaṁ abhiññāya kamuddiseyyaṁ.

I am the vanquisher of all, the knower of all, unsullied in the midst of all things. I’ve given up all, freed in the ending of craving. Since I know for myself, whose follower should I be?

Sabbadānaṁ dhammadānaṁ jināti,
Sabbarasaṁ dhammaraso jināti;
Sabbaratiṁ dhammarati jināti,
Taṇhakkhayo sabbadukkhaṁ jināti.

The gift of the teaching surmounts all other gifts; the taste of the teaching surmounts all other tastes; the joy of the teaching surmounts all other joys; the ending of craving surmounts all suffering.

Hananti bhogā dummedhaṁ,
no ca pāragavesino;
Bhogataṇhāya dummedho,
hanti aññeva attanaṁ.

Riches ruin a simpleton, but not a seeker of the far shore. From craving for wealth, a simpleton ruins themselves and others.

Tiṇadosāni khettāni,
rāgadosā ayaṁ pajā;
Tasmā hi vītarāgesu,
dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ.

Weeds are the bane of crops, but greed is these folk’s bane. That’s why a gift to one rid of greed is so very fruitful.

Tiṇadosāni khettāni,
dosadosā ayaṁ pajā;
Tasmā hi vītadosesu,
dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ.

Weeds are the bane of crops, but hate is these folk’s bane. That’s why a gift to one rid of hate is so very fruitful.

Tiṇadosāni khettāni,
mohadosā ayaṁ pajā;
Tasmā hi vītamohesu,
dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ.

Weeds are the bane of crops, but delusion is these folk’s bane. That’s why a gift to one rid of delusion is so very fruitful.

Tiṇadosāni khettāni,
icchādosā ayaṁ pajā;
Tasmā hi vigaticchesu,
dinnaṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ.
Taṇhāvaggo catuvīsatimo.

Weeds are the bane of crops, but desire is these folk’s bane. That’s why a gift to one rid of desire is so very fruitful.

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