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## Dhammapada XVI

# Dear Ones

Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
For free distribution only.

Read an alternate translation by Acharya Buddharakkhita

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209*:

> Having applied himself
> to what was not his own task,
> and not having applied himself
> to what was,
> having disregarded the goal
> to grasp at what he held dear,
> he now envies those
> who kept after themselves,
> took themselves
> to task.

210-211:

> Don't ever -- regardless --
> be conjoined with what's dear
> or undear.
> It's painful
> not to see what's dear
> or to see what's not.

> So don't make anything dear,
> for it's dreadful to be far
> from what's dear.
> No bonds are found
> for those for whom
> there's neither dear
> nor undear.

212-216:

> From what's dear is born grief,
> from what's dear is born fear.
> For one freed from what's dear
> there's no grief
> -- so how fear?

> From what's loved is born grief,
> from what's loved is born fear.
> For one freed from what's loved
> there's no grief
> -- so how fear?

> From delight is born grief,
> from delight is born fear.
> For one freed from delight
> there's no grief
> -- so how fear?

> From sensuality is born grief,
> from sensuality is born fear.
> For one freed from sensuality
> there's no grief
> -- so how fear?

> From craving is born grief,
> from craving is born fear.
> For one freed from craving
> there's no grief
> -- so how fear?

217:

> One consummate in virtue & vision,
> judicious,
> speaking the truth,
> doing his own task:
> the world holds him dear.

218*:

> If
> you've given birth to a wish
> for what can't be expressed,
> are suffused with heart,
> your mind not enmeshed
> in sensual passions:
> you're said to be
> in the up-flowing stream.

219-220:

> A man long absent
> comes home safe from afar.
> His kin, his friends, his companions,
> delight in his return.

> In just the same way,
> when you've done good
> & gone from this world
> to the world beyond,
> your good deeds receive you --
> as kin, someone dear
> come home.

Revised: Wed 16 May 2001