Dhammapada 80
Irrigators guide water
Irrigators guide water; arrow-makers bend arrow shafts; carpenters bend wood; the wise tame themselves.
Translated from the Pāli by Banya
Pāli
Udakañhi nayanti nettikā,
Usukārā namayanti tejanaṁ;
Dāruṁ namayanti tacchakā,
Attānaṁ damayanti paṇḍitā.
In plain words
People working with water, arrows, and wood learn to guide their materials. The wise apply that kind of training to their own conduct.
Key words
- damayanti
- they tame, they train — The final line turns the craft images toward oneself.
The story behind the verse
The story of the novice Paṇḍita (Paṇḍitasāmaṇeravatthu)
While going for alms with Sāriputta, the young novice Paṇḍita sees people guiding water and working with arrows and wood. He asks about their work and considers how even lifeless materials can be shaped. He returns to practice, turning the comparison toward training his own mind. The commentary says he reaches liberation that day.
Retold by Banya from the traditional commentary, after E. W. Burlingame, Buddhist Legends (1921).
To reflect on
What part of your conduct could use patient practice?
Try it today
Practice one small restraint during an ordinary task.
Explanation by Banya. Traditional readings vary.