Chapter 15
197
Happy indeed we live,
friendly amidst the hostile.
Amidst hostile men
we dwell free from hatred.
198
Happy indeed we live,
unafflicted amidst the afflicted
(by craving).
Amidst afflicted men
we dwell free from affliction.
199
Happy indeed we live,
free from avarice
amidst the avaricious.
Amidst avaricious men
we dwell free from avarice.
200
Happy indeed we live,
we who possess nothing.
Feeders on joy we shall be,
like the Radiant Gods.
201
Victory begets enmity;
the defeated dwell in pain.
Happily the peaceful live,
discarding both victory and defeat.
202
There is no fire like lust
and no crime like hatred.
There is no ill
like the aggregates (of existence)
and no bliss higher
than the peace (of Nibbana)*
203
Hunger is the worst disease,
conditioned things the worst suffering.
Knowing this as it really is,
the wise realize Nibbana,
the highest bliss. **
204
Health is the precious gain
and contentment the greatest wealth.
A trustworthy person is the best kinsman,
Nibbana the highest bliss.
205
having savoured
the taste of solitude and peace
(of Nibbana),
pain-free and stainless he becomes,
drinking deep
the taste of the bliss of Truth.
206
Good it is to see the Noble Ones;
to live with them is ever blissful.
One will always be happy
by not encountering fools.
207
Indeed,
he who moves
in the company of fools
grieves for long.
Association with fools is ever painful,
like partnership with an enemy.
But association
with the wise is happy,
like meeting one's own kinsmen.
208
Therefore,
follow the Noble One,
who is steadfast, wise, learned,
dutiful and devout.
One should follow
only such a man,
who is truly good and discerning,
even as the moon
follows the path of the stars.
*Aggregates (khandha):
The five groups of material form, feeling, perception, mental formations and consciousness into which the Buddha analyses the living being.
**Conditioned things refer to phenomenal existence--samsara.
