Dhammapada 36

Let the wise guard the mind, very hard to see, very subtle, landing wherever it wishes

Let the wise guard the mind, very hard to see, very subtle, landing wherever it wishes. A guarded mind brings happiness.

Translated from the Pāli by Banya

In plain words

The mind is subtle, hard to see, and lands wherever it wishes. The wise should guard it, because a guarded mind brings happiness. One way to apply this: notice an attraction before acting on it.

Key words

gutta

guarded — Here the mind receives attentive protection and care.

The story behind the verse

A discontented monk

In the commentary, a treasurer’s son wanted release from suffering and began supporting the monastic community. He adopted religious precepts and eventually became a monk, and his teachers gave him many instructions about what was permitted and forbidden. He felt overwhelmed and considered returning to household life, and his companions noticed his distress and brought him to the Buddha. The Buddha asked whether he could guard his thoughts, and when he said he could, the Buddha told him to attend to that and taught this verse.

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

Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.