ShareYourGroupShareYourGroupDhammapada

Dhammapada chapter 7: The Venerable (Arhat).

Verses 90 to 99, in Max Muller's translation.

About this chapter

The "venerable" (arhat) is one who has finished the journey, who is free from sorrow and clinging, and who lives lightly in the world.

It has 10 verses (90 to 99). « Chapter 6 · Chapter 8 »

Dhammapada 90

There is no suffering for him who has finished his journey, and abandoned grief, who has freed himself on all sides, and thrown off all fetters.

Dhammapada 91

They depart with their thoughts well-collected, they are not happy in their abode; like swans who have left their lake, they leave their house and home.

Dhammapada 92

Men who have no riches, who live on recognised food, who have perceived void and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), their path is difficult to understand, like that of birds in the air.

Dhammapada 93

He whose appetites are stilled, who is not absorbed in enjoyment, who has perceived void and unconditioned freedom (Nirvana), his path is difficult to understand, like that of birds in the air.

Dhammapada 94

The gods even envy him whose senses, like horses well broken in by the driver, have been subdued, who is free from pride, and free from appetites.

Dhammapada 95

Such a one who does his duty is tolerant like the earth, like Indra's bolt; he is like a lake without mud; no new births are in store for him.

Dhammapada 96

His thought is quiet, quiet are his word and deed, when he has obtained freedom by true knowledge, when he has thus become a quiet man.

Dhammapada 97

The man who is free from credulity, but knows the uncreated, who has cut all ties, removed all temptations, renounced all desires, he is the greatest of men.

Dhammapada 98

In a hamlet or in a forest, in the deep water or on the dry land, wherever venerable persons (Arhanta) dwell, that place is delightful.

Dhammapada 99

Forests are delightful; where the world finds no delight, there the passionless will find delight, for they look not for pleasures.

The verses are F. Max Muller's English translation of 1881, in the public domain; its wording is of its time. The notes are our own. This site is an introduction and not a substitute for a teacher, and it is independent of any Buddhist organisation.