Pupphavagga - Flowers (verses 44-59)

By: +David Herron; Date: Thu Dec 30 2021 03:31:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Who will be able to understand himself, this world, heaven and hell? Who will fully realize the well preached Doctrine, which is like a garland fixed by a clever garland maker?

The disciple in training (sekha) will be able to understand himself, this world, heaven and hell. He will realize the well preached Doctrine, which is like a garland fixed by a clever garland maker.

Knowing that this body is like foam, and comprehending its mirage-nature, one should destroy the flowershafts of sensual passions (Mara), and pass beyond the sight of the King of Death.

The man who gathers flowers (of sensual pleasure), whose mind is distracted, death carries off as a great flood sweeps away a sleeping village.

The man who gathers flowers (of sensual pleasure), whose mind is distracted, and who is insatiate in desires, the Destroyer brings under his sway.

As a bee without harming the flower, its colours or scent, flies away, collecting only the honey, even so should the sage wander in the village.

Not the faults of others, nor what others have done or left undone, but one's own deeds, done and left undone, should one consider.

As a flower beautiful and brilliant of hue, but without fragrance, even so fruitless is the well-spoken word of one who does not practise it.

As a flower beautiful, brilliant of hue and full of fragrance too, even so fruitful is the well-spoken word of one who does practise it.

As from a heap of flowers many a garland is made even so many a good deed should be done by one born as a human being.

The perfume of flowers blows not against the wind, not does the fragrance of sandalwood, tagara and jasmine, but the fragrance of the virtuous blows against the wind; the virtuous man pervades every direction.

Sandalwood, tagara, lotus, jasmine: above all these kinds of fragrance, the perfume of virtue is by far the best.

Of little account is the fragrance of tagara or sandal; the fragrance of the virtuous, which blows even amongst the gods, is supreme.

Those, who are virtuous and who live a life of heedfulness, are set free through attaining perfect wisdom and Mara cannot find a way to them.

The lotus will grow even in rubbish thrown away. It will delight the heart with its sweet smell and beauty.

Just like a lotus, the disciple, by his wisdom, will shine among them that are ignorant, blind and unconverted.