The Path

273. The best of ways is the eightfold; the best of truths the four words; the best of virtues passionlessness; the best of men he who has eyes to see.

273. The best path is the Eightfold Path. The best truths are the Four Noble Truths. The best virtue is freedom from passion. The best of men is the one who sees clearly.

274. This is the way, there is no other that leads to the purifying of intelligence. Go on this way! Everything else is the deceit of Mara (the tempter).

274. This is the only path that leads to a purified mind. Follow this path! Everything else is deception by Mara (the tempter).

275. If you go on this way, you will make an end of pain! The way was preached by me, when I had understood the removal of the thorns (in the flesh).

275. If you follow this path, you will put an end to pain! I taught this path when I understood how to remove the thorns (in the flesh).

276. You yourself must make an effort. The Tathagatas (Buddhas) are only preachers. The thoughtful who enter the way are freed from the bondage of Mara.

276. You must make the effort yourself. The Tathagatas (Buddhas) only teach. Thoughtful people who follow the path are freed from Mara’s bondage.

277. ‘All created things perish,’ he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain; this is the way to purity.

277. ‘All created things pass away.’ Anyone who knows and sees this becomes calm in suffering. This is the path to purity.

278. ‘All created things are grief and pain,’ he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain; this is the way that leads to purity.

278. ‘All created things are grief and pain.’ Anyone who knows and sees this truth is no longer disturbed by pain. This is the path that leads to purity.

279. ‘All forms are unreal,’ he who knows and sees this becomes passive in pain; this is the way that leads to purity.

279. ‘All forms are unreal.’ Whoever knows and sees this truth becomes unmoved by pain. This is the path to purity.

280. He who does not rouse himself when it is time to rise, who, though young and strong, is full of sloth, whose will and thought are weak, that lazy and idle man will never find the way to knowledge.

280. A man fails to get up when it is time to rise. Though young and strong, he is full of laziness, and his will and thoughts are weak. Such a lazy, idle man will never find the path to knowledge.

281. Watching his speech, well restrained in mind, let a man never commit any wrong with his body! Let a man but keep these three roads of action clear, and he will achieve the way which is taught by the wise.

281. A person should watch their speech, control their mind, and never do wrong with their body! If they keep these three paths of action clear, they will reach the way taught by the wise.

282. Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge is lost; let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss thus place himself that knowledge may grow.

282. Through dedicated effort, knowledge is gained. Without dedicated effort, knowledge is lost. A man who understands these two paths of gain and loss should act so that his knowledge may grow.

283. Cut down the whole forest (of lust), not a tree only! Danger comes out of the forest (of lust). When you have cut down both the forest (of lust) and its undergrowth, then, Bhikshus, you will be rid of the forest and free!

283. Cut down the whole forest (of lust), not just one tree! Danger comes from the forest (of lust). When you have cut down both the forest (of lust) and its undergrowth, Bhikshus, you will be free of the forest!

284. So long as the love of man towards women, even the smallest, is not destroyed, so long is his mind in bondage, as the calf that drinks milk is to its mother.

284. As long as even the smallest love for women remains in a man, his mind stays bound. His mind is bound just as a nursing calf is bound to its mother.

285. Cut out the love of self, like an autumn lotus, with thy hand! Cherish the road of peace. Nirvana has been shown by Sugata (Buddha).

285. Cut out your love of self, just as you would cut an autumn lotus with your hand! Cherish the path of peace. Sugata (Buddha) has shown the way to Nirvana.

286. ‘Here I shall dwell in the rain, here in winter and summer,’ thus the fool meditates, and does not think of his death.

286. ‘Here I will live during the rainy season, here in winter and summer,’ the fool thinks. He does not think of his death.

287. Death comes and carries off that man, praised for his children and flocks, his mind distracted, as a flood carries off a sleeping village.

287. Death comes for a man praised for his children and flocks, his mind distracted. Death carries him off as a flood carries off a sleeping village.

288. Sons are no help, nor a father, nor relations; there is no help from kinsfolk for one whom death has seized.

288. Sons cannot help, nor can a father or other relatives. No family member can help someone whom death has seized.

289. A wise and good man who knows the meaning of this, should quickly clear the way that leads to Nirvana.

289. A wise and good man who understands this should quickly clear the path to Nirvana.