The Boat · Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato, SuttaCentral
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Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā, Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya; So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto, Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.
If you would learn the teaching from someone, honor them as the gods honor Indra. Then they will have confidence in you, and being learned, they reveal the teaching.
Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro, Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno; Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti, Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.
Heeding well, an attentive one, practicing in line with that teaching grows intelligent, discerning, and subtle through diligently sticking close to such a person.
Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno, Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca; Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā, Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.
But associating with a petty fool who falls short of the goal, jealous, then unable to discern the teaching in this life, one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.
Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā, Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ; So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī, Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.
It’s like a man who has plunged into a river, a rushing torrent in spate. As they are swept away downstream, how could they help others across?
Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā, Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ; Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho, Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.
Just so, one unable to discern the teaching, who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned, not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts, how could they help others to contemplate?
Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā, Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto; So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe, Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā.
But one who has embarked on a strong boat equipped with rudder and oar, would bring many others across there with skill, care, and thoughtfulness.
Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto, Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo; So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ, Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.
So too one who understands—a knowledge master, evolved, learned, and unflappable— can help others to contemplate, so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.
Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha, Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca; Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno, Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti. Nāvāsuttaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.
That’s why you should spend time with a true person, intelligent and learned. Having understood the meaning, putting it into practice, one who understands the teaching would find happiness.
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