Dhammapada 27

Do not give yourself to heedlessness or become attached to delight in sensual pleasures

Do not give yourself to heedlessness or become attached to delight in sensual pleasures. For one who meditates heedfully reaches abundant happiness.

Translated from the Pāli by Banya

In plain words

The verse warns against heedlessness and attachment to delight in sensual pleasures. It says that someone who meditates heedfully reaches great happiness.

Key words

kāmaratisanthava

attachment to sensual delight — Suggests becoming intimate or entangled with pleasure.

The story behind the verse

Simpletons’ Holiday

In the commentary, at Sāvatthi, a festival called Simpletons’ Holiday encouraged coarse behavior. Revelers insulted people at their doorways and accepted payments to leave, and they showed little respect for relatives, friends, or monks. Lay followers asked the Buddha and the monks to stay inside the monastery during the festival, and they sent food to the monastery while the disorder continued. After the festival, they invited the community into the city and described the unpleasant days, and the Buddha contrasted heedlessness with guarding attention as something precious.

Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).

Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.