Dhammapada 132
Beings seek happiness
Beings seek happiness. If you do not hurt them with the rod while seeking your own happiness, after death you find happiness.
Translated from the Pāli by Banya
Pāli
Sukhakāmāni bhūtāni,
yo daṇḍena na hiṁsati;
Attano sukhamesāno,
pecca so labhate sukhaṁ.
In plain words
The verse praises seeking happiness without striking other beings who want happiness too. Its stated consequence includes happiness after death, within the teaching's account of rebirth.
Key words
- na hiṁsati
- does not harm — Here it is specifically contrasted with harming by the rod.
The story behind the verse
A company of boys
In the commentary, the Buddha was entering Sāvatthi for alms. By the road he saw boys beating a snake with a stick, and he asked what they were doing. They explained that they feared the snake would bite them, and the Buddha told them that harming another being to secure their own happiness would not bring happiness after death. He taught both the consequence of striking and the value of refraining from harm, and the two verses belong to this same encounter.
Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).
To reflect on
What would seeking your happiness gently look like today?
Try it today
Meet one small need without using force against another being.
Practise it with
Compassion (karuṇā)
Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.