Dhammapada 42
Whatever an enemy might do to an enemy, or one who hates to one they hate, a wrongly directed mind…
Whatever an enemy might do to an enemy, or one who hates to one they hate, a wrongly directed mind can do you greater harm.
Translated from the Pāli by Banya
Pāli
Diso disaṁ yaṁ taṁ kayirā,
verī vā pana verinaṁ;
Micchāpaṇihitaṁ cittaṁ,
pāpiyo naṁ tato kare.
In plain words
A wrongly directed mind can do someone more harm than an enemy can. One way to apply this: reconsider harmful intentions. This comparison is not a claim that every harm you suffer is your own fault.
Key words
- micchāpaṇihita
- wrongly directed — Qualifies the direction of the mind, not the worth of a person.
The story behind the verse
Nanda the herdsman
In the commentary, Nanda was a herdsman who supported Anāthapiṇḍika’s cattle. He invited the Buddha and the monks to receive his hospitality, and the Buddha eventually visited, and Nanda entertained the community. After hearing the teaching, Nanda reached the first stage of awakening, and when the Buddha left, Nanda walked part of the way with him and then turned back. On the return journey, a stray arrow killed Nanda, and the Buddha rejected the monks’ suggestion that his visit had caused Nanda’s death and taught about a wrongly directed mind.
Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).
To reflect on
Which intention today deserves a second look?
Try it today
Pause before one action motivated by spite and reconsider doing it.
Practise it with
Compassion (karuṇā)
Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.