The Dhammapada

Chapter Twenty-Two -- The State of Woe

The liar goes to the state of woe; also
one who, having done (wrong), says, "I did not
do it." People of base actions both, on departing
they share the same destiny in the other world.
There are many evil characters and
uncontrolled people wearing the yellow robe. These
wicked people will be born in states of woe because
of their evil deeds.
It would be better to swallow a red-hot
iron ball, blazing like fire, than as an immoral
and uncontrolled renunciate to eat the
almsfood of the people.
Four misfortunes befall the reckless person
who consorts with another's spouse: acquisition
of demerit, disturbed sleep, ill-repute and
(rebirth in) states of woe.
Such a person acquires demerit and an
unhappy birth in the future. Brief is the pleasure
of the frightened people, and the king
imposes heavy punishment. Hence, let
no person consort with another's spouse.
Just as Kusa grass wrongly handled cuts
the hand, even so a recluse's life wrongly lived
drags one to a state of woe.
Any loose act, any corrupt observance,
any life of questionable celibacy--none of
these bear much fruit.
If anything is to be done, let one do it
with sustained vigor. A lax monastic life stirs up
the dust of passions all the more.
An evil deed is better left undone, for
such a deed torments one afterwards. But a good
deed is better done, doing which one repents
not later.
Guard yourself closely like a border
city, both within and without. Do not let slip
this opportunity (for spiritual growth). For those
who let slip this opportunity grieve when
consigned to states of woe.
Those who are ashamed of what they
should not be ashamed of, and are not ashamed
of what they should be ashamed of--upholding
false views, they go to states of woe.
Those who see something to fear where
there is nothing to fear, and see nothing to fear
where there is something to fear--upholding
false views, they go to states of woe.
Those who imagine evil where there is
none, and do not see evil where it is--upholding
false views, they go to states of woe.
Those who discern the wrong as wrong
and the right as right--upholding right views,
they go to realms of bliss.

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WWW Virtual Library - Sri Lanka

Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Perfected One, the Supremely Enlightened One!

The Dhammapada

Chapter Twenty-Two -- The State of Woe

The liar goes to the state of woe; also one who, having done (wrong), says, "I did not do it." People of base actions both, on departing they share the same destiny in the other world.

There are many evil characters and uncontrolled people wearing the yellow robe. These wicked people will be born in states of woe because of their evil deeds.

It would be better to swallow a red-hot iron ball, blazing like fire, than as an immoral and uncontrolled renunciate to eat the almsfood of the people.

Four misfortunes befall the reckless person who consorts with another's spouse: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep, ill-repute and (rebirth in) states of woe.

Such a person acquires demerit and an unhappy birth in the future. Brief is the pleasure of the frightened people, and the king imposes heavy punishment. Hence, let no person consort with another's spouse.

Just as Kusa grass wrongly handled cuts the hand, even so a recluse's life wrongly lived drags one to a state of woe.

Any loose act, any corrupt observance, any life of questionable celibacy--none of these bear much fruit.

If anything is to be done, let one do it with sustained vigor. A lax monastic life stirs up the dust of passions all the more.

An evil deed is better left undone, for such a deed torments one afterwards. But a good deed is better done, doing which one repents not later.

Guard yourself closely like a border city, both within and without. Do not let slip this opportunity (for spiritual growth). For those who let slip this opportunity grieve when consigned to states of woe.

Those who are ashamed of what they should not be ashamed of, and are not ashamed of what they should be ashamed of--upholding false views, they go to states of woe.

Those who see something to fear where there is nothing to fear, and see nothing to fear where there is something to fear--upholding false views, they go to states of woe.

Those who imagine evil where there is none, and do not see evil where it is--upholding false views, they go to states of woe.

Those who discern the wrong as wrong and the right as right--upholding right views, they go to realms of bliss.

Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the
Perfected One, the Supremely
Enlightened One!

The liar goes to the state of woe; also
one who, having done (wrong), says, "I did not
do it." People of base actions both, on departing
they share the same destiny in the other world.

There are many evil characters and
uncontrolled people wearing the yellow robe. These
wicked people will be born in states of woe because
of their evil deeds.

It would be better to swallow a red-hot
iron ball, blazing like fire, than as an immoral
and uncontrolled renunciate to eat the
almsfood of the people.

Four misfortunes befall the reckless person
who consorts with another's spouse: acquisition
of demerit, disturbed sleep, ill-repute and
(rebirth in) states of woe.

Such a person acquires demerit and an
unhappy birth in the future. Brief is the pleasure
of the frightened people, and the king
imposes heavy punishment. Hence, let
no person consort with another's spouse.

Just as Kusa grass wrongly handled cuts
the hand, even so a recluse's life wrongly lived
drags one to a state of woe.

Any loose act, any corrupt observance,
any life of questionable celibacy--none of
these bear much fruit.

If anything is to be done, let one do it
with sustained vigor. A lax monastic life stirs up
the dust of passions all the more.

An evil deed is better left undone, for
such a deed torments one afterwards. But a good
deed is better done, doing which one repents
not later.

Guard yourself closely like a border
city, both within and without. Do not let slip
this opportunity (for spiritual growth). For those
who let slip this opportunity grieve when
consigned to states of woe.

Those who are ashamed of what they
should not be ashamed of, and are not ashamed
of what they should be ashamed of--upholding
false views, they go to states of woe.

Those who see something to fear where
there is nothing to fear, and see nothing to fear
where there is something to fear--upholding
false views, they go to states of woe.

Those who imagine evil where there is
none, and do not see evil where it is--upholding
false views, they go to states of woe.

Those who discern the wrong as wrong
and the right as right--upholding right views,
they go to realms of bliss.