Dhp III : The Mind

- suttas - - evening talks - short morning talks - lectures - guided meditations - talk collections - other themes - chants - - - - à¹à¸à¸¢ - Franā§ais - Espaā±ol - - Portuguāªs - РÑÑÑкий - - - УкÑаÑнÑÑка Submit Search - Home - Suttas - KN - Dhp - Dhp III : The Mind ## Browse Suttas Go to Dhammapada index Dhp index ## Dhp III : The Mind Quivering, wavering, hard to guard, to hold in check: the mind. The sage makes it straight– like a fletcher, the shaft of an arrow. Like a fish pulled from its home in the water & thrown on land: this mind flips & flaps about to escape Maraâs sway. Hard to hold down, nimble, alighting wherever it likes: the mind. Its taming is good. The mind well-tamed brings ease. So hard to see, so very, very subtle, alighting wherever it likes: the mind. The wise should guard it. The mind protected brings ease. Wandering far, going alone, bodiless, lying in a cave: the mind. Those who restrain it: from Maraâs bonds theyâll be freed. 33-37* For a person of unsteady mind, not knowing true Dhamma, serenity set                adrift: discernment doesnât grow full. 38 For a person of unsoddened mind, unassaulted awareness, abandoning merit & evil, wakeful, there is no danger no fear. 39* Knowing this body is like a clay jar, securing this mind like a fort, attack Mara with the spear of discernment, then guard whatâs won without settling there, without laying claim. 40* All too soon, this body will lie on the ground cast off, bereft of consciousness, like a useless scrap of wood. 41 Whatever an enemy might do to an enemy, or a foe to a foe, the ill-directed mind can do to you even worse. Whatever a mother, father or other kinsman might do for you, the well-directed mind can do for you even better. 42-43* - --> - - - -