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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Sacred Literature of Buddhism

 Verse for January 18, 2012

    18.One who is wise and disciplined,
        Kindly always and intelligent,
        Humble and free from pride -
        One like this will win respect.

        Rising early and scorning laziness,
        Remaining calm in time of strife,
        Faultless in conduct and clever in actions -
        One like this will win respect.

        Being able to make friends and keep them,
        Welcoming others and sharing with them,
        A guide, philosopher and friend -
        One like this will win respect.

        Being generous and kindly in speech,
        Doing a good turn for others
        And treating all alike -
        One like this will win respect.

Digha Nikaya III.

Verse for January 17, 2012

    17.    There are these four kinds of happiness to be won by a householder who enjoys sense pleasures from time to time and when occasion offers. What four? The happiness of ownership, the happiness of wealth, the happiness of freedom from debt and the happiness of blamelessness.
        
    And what is the happiness of ownership? Concerning this, a householder has wealth acquired by energetic striving, won by strength of arm and sweat of brow, justly and lawfully won. When he thinks of this he feels happiness and satisfaction.
        
    And what is the happiness of wealth? Concerning this, a householder has wealth justly and lawfully won, and with it he does many good deeds. When he thinks of this he feels happiness and satisfaction.
        
    And what is the happiness of freedom from debt? Concerning this, a householder owes no debt large or small to anyone, and when he thinks of this he feels happiness and satisfaction.
        
    And what is the happiness of blamelessness? Concerning this, the noble disciple is blessed with blameless action of body, speech and mind, and when he thinks of this he feels happiness and satisfaction.

Anguttara Nikaya II.68

Verse for January 16, 2012

    16.    Greed is to be slightly blamed but it is slow to change. Hatred is to be greatly blamed but it is quick to change. Delusion is to be greatly blamed and it is slow to change.


Anguttara Nikaya I.199