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## Dhammapada VIII

# Thousands

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

Read an alternate translation by Acharya Buddharakkhita

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100-102*:

> Better
> than if there were thousands
> of meaningless words is
> one
> meaningful
> word
> that on hearing
> brings peace.

> Better
> than if there were thousands
> of meaningless verses is
> one
> meaningful
> verse
> that on hearing
> brings peace.

> And better than chanting hundreds
> of meaningless verses is
> one
> Dhamma-saying
> that on hearing
> brings peace.

103-105:

> Greater in battle
> than the man who would conquer
> a thousand-thousand men,
> is he who would conquer
> just one --
> himself.

> Better to conquer yourself
> than others.
> When you've trained yourself,
> living in constant self-control,
> neither a deva nor gandhabba,
> nor a Mara banded with Brahmas,
> could turn that triumph
> back into defeat.

106-108*:

> You could, month by month,
> at a cost of thousands,
> conduct sacrifices
> a hundred times,
> or
> pay a single moment's homage
> to one person,
> self-cultivated.
> Better than a hundred years of sacrifices
> would that act of homage be.

> You could, for a hundred years,
> live in a forest
> tending a fire,
> or
> pay a single moment's homage
> to one person,
> self-cultivated.
> Better than a hundred years of sacrifices
> would that act of homage be.

> Everything offered
> or sacrificed in the world
> for an entire year by one seeking merit
> doesn't come to a fourth.
> Better to pay respect
> to those who've gone
> the straight way.

109:

> If you're respectful by habit,
> constantly honoring the worthy,
> four things increase:
> long life, beauty,
> happiness, strength.

110-115:

> Better than a hundred years
> lived without virtue, uncentered, is
> one day
> lived by a virtuous person
> absorbed in jhana.

> And better than a hundred years
> lived undiscerning, uncentered, is
> one day
> lived by a discerning person
> absorbed in jhana.

> And better than a hundred years
> lived apathetic & unenergetic, is
> one day
> lived energetic & firm.

> And better than a hundred years
> lived without seeing
> arising & passing away, is
> one day
> lived seeing
> arising & passing away.

> And better than a hundred years
> lived without seeing
> the Deathless state, is
> one day
> lived seeing
> the Deathless state.

> And better than a hundred years
> lived without seeing
> the ultimate Dhamma, is
> one day
> lived seeing
> the ultimate Dhamma.

Revised: Wed 16 May 2001