Dhammapada 2- Heedfulness

A reading of the second chapter of the Dhammapada as translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The Dhammapada is a canonical Buddhist text written in a somewhat poetic style. Each chapter bears many listens over time, and is somewhat like the Tao Teh Ching, delivering ancient wisdom and inspiring the contemplative life. Listen at the beginning of your own meditation practice, or any time of day as a source of inspiration. Enjoy!

Transcript

Dhammapada II Heedfulness Heedfulness,

The path to the deathless.

Heedlessness,

The path to death.

The heedful do not die.

The heedless are as if already dead.

Knowing this as a true distinction,

Those wise in heedfulness rejoice in heedfulness,

Enjoying the range of the noble ones.

The enlightened,

Constantly absorbed in jhana,

Persevering,

Firm in their effort.

They touch unbinding,

The unexcelled safety from bondage.

Those with initiative,

Mindful,

Clear,

Clean in action,

Acting with due consideration,

Heedful,

Restrained,

Living the Dhamma.

Their glory grows.

Through initiative,

Heedfulness,

Restraint,

And self-control,

The wise would make an island.

No flood can submerge.

They are addicted to heedlessness,

Dullards,

Fools.

While one who is wise cherishes heedfulness as his highest wealth.

Don't give way to heedlessness or to intimacy with sensual delight.

For a heedful person,

Absorbed in jhana,

Attains an abundance of ease.

When the wise person drives out heedlessness with heedfulness,

Having climbed the high tower of discernment,

Sorrow-free,

He observes the sorrowing crowd,

As the enlightened man,

Having scaled a summit,

The fools on the ground below.

Heedful among the heedless,

Wakeful among those asleep,

Just as a fast horse advances,

Leaving the weak behind.

So the wise.

Through heedfulness,

Indra won to lordship over the gods.

Heedfulness is praised,

Heedlessness censured,

Always.

The monk,

Delighting in heedfulness,

Seeing danger in heedlessness,

Advances like a fire,

Burning fetters,

Great and small.

Incapable of falling back,

Stands right on the verge of unbinding.

Reviews

Thank you for reading these Mark. Your voice is easy to listen to. The words themselves are often challenging. 🌈

I am loving this series! 🙏🏼🙇‍♀️🥰 thank you for the time to record theee

Thankyou for this series 🙏. Will you be setting up as another playlist?