Wednesday, 3 December 2014

The Dhammapada 17 & 18



He is tormented here, he is tormented after death,
in both states is the wrongdoer tormented. 
He is tormented [by the thought] "I have done evil"
He is tormented even more, having gone to a bad birth.

Here again, the evildoer is tormented both here and in the next life. Not only does the very idea that he has done evil torment him, but even more grief awaits him in his next life.

He is delighted here, he is delighted after death,
in both states is the well-doer delighted. 
He is delighted [by the thought] "I have done good"
He is delighted even more, having gone to a good birth.

In contrast to the previous verse (DhP 17), one, who performs good deeds is happy and delighted both in this life and after death. The idea "I have done good deeds" brings him inner satisfaction and happiness. Even more happiness then brings him his next birth 

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