Applying yourself where you ought not, neglecting what you should be doing, forgetting your goal, you cling to what you hold dear, jealous of those devoted to their heart’s goal.
16. The Beloved
Dhp 209-220 · Piyavagga
Don’t ever get too close to those you like or dislike. For not seeing the liked is suffering, and so is seeing the disliked.
Therefore don’t hold anything dear, for it’s bad to lose those you love. No ties are found in they who hold nothing loved or loathed.
Sorrow springs from what we hold dear, fear springs from what we hold dear; one free from holding anything dear has no sorrow, let alone fear.
Sorrow springs from attachment, fear springs from attachment; one free from attachment has no sorrow, let alone fear.
Sorrow springs from relishing, fear springs from relishing; one free from relishing has no sorrow, let alone fear.
Sorrow springs from desire, fear springs from desire; one free from desire has no sorrow, let alone fear.
Sorrow springs from craving, fear springs from craving; one free from craving has no sorrow, let alone fear.
One accomplished in virtue and vision, firmly principled, and truthful, doing oneself what ought be done: that’s who the people love.
One eager to realize the ineffable would be filled with awareness. Their mind not bound to pleasures of sense, they’re said to be heading upstream.
When a man returns safely after a long time spent abroad, family, friends, and loved ones celebrate his return.
Just so, when one who has done good goes from this world to the next, their good deeds receive them there, as family welcomes home one they love.
Connections
Collection & context
- DhammapadaThe collection containing this text
- The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
- Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
- The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting
Books
- The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist ClassicGil Fronsdal (translator) · Complete collection edition
- Handful of Leaves: an Anthology from the Sutta PiṭakaEarly Buddhist discourses; Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu (translator and compiler) · Included in anthology
About this edition
Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0
This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.
Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader. This source combines a range of related numbered discourses.
The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.