Help | Home » Tipitaka » Sutta Pitaka » Khuddaka Nikaya » Theragatha » Context of this chapter

# Theragatha

## Chapter VIII - The Eights

### (Selected suttas)

For free distribution only.

VIII.1 -- Maha-Kaccana {vv. 494-501}
[Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. From Maha Kaccana: Master of Doctrinal Exposition (WH 405/406), by Bhikkhu Bodhi (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1995). Copyright ©1995 Buddhist Publication Society. Used with permission.]

> One should not do much work
> One should avoid people,
> One should not bustle (to obtain gifts).
> One who is eager and greedy for flavors
> Misses the goal that entails happiness.

> They knew as a bog this homage and veneration
> Obtained among devoted families.
> A subtle dart, difficult to extract,
> Honor is hard for a vile man to discard.

> It is not on account of another
> That a mortal's kamma is evil.
> On one's own accord one should not resort to evil,
> For mortals have kamma as their kinsmen.

> One is not a thief by another's word,
> One is not a sage by another's word;
> It is as one knows oneself
> That the devas also know one.

> Others do not understand
> That we all come to an end here.
> But those wise ones who understand this
> Thereby settle their quarrels.

> The wise man lives indeed
> Even despite the loss of his wealth.
> But if one does not obtain wisdom,
> Then even though rich one is not alive.

> One hears all with the ear,
> One sees all with the eye,
> The wise man should not reject
> Everything that is seen and heard.

> One with eyes should be as if blind,
> One with ears as if deaf,
> One with wisdom as if mute,
> One with strength as if feeble.
> Then, when the goal has been attained,
> One may lie upon one's death bed.

Revised: Fri 12 April 2002