4. Flowers

44
&45

Which person will master this world of humanity,
Here, with its gods, in this realm of mortality?
Which person will pick out the path of the Dhamma,
Like one who was clever, a fine rose might garner?

The sekha⁽¹⁾ will master this world of humanity,
Here, with its gods, in this realm of mortality.
The sekha will pick out the path of the Dhamma,
Like one who was clever, a fine rose might garner.

46

When you see that this body’s like foam,
As mirage-like its nature you know,
You’ll extract the love-arrows of Mara’s delight,
And you’ll make your escape from the King of Death’s sight.

47

They who gather flowers of pleasure,
Minds attached to sensual treasure,
Death will sweep those rakes away,
Like sea a sleeping town might slay.

48

On they who gather flowers of pleasure,
Minds attached to sensual treasure,
Ever seeking earthy novelty,
Death imposes its authority.

49

Whenever a bumble-bee visits a flower,
Going in order to nectar devour,
Never the colour or fragrance it harms:
The sage should act likewise when walking for alms.

50

Don’t try and seek out another’s iniquity;
Of deeds and neglects of theirs, lose curiosity.
Better consider your own impropriety:
Omissions, commissions, of moral impurity.

51

One’s well-spoken Dhamma is empty of fruit
If one’s practice does not one’s own words follow suit.
Just like a flower that is coloured so well:
It is splendid to look at, but no lovely smell.

52

One’s well-spoken Dhamma is bursting with fruit
If one’s practice, indeed, one’s own words follows suit.
Just like a flower that is coloured so well,
Which is dazzling to look at, and fragrant as well.

53

From a mass of flowers profuse,
Many garlands are produced:
So when mortals are conceived,
They much goodness can achieve.

54

Lavender, sandalwood, jasmine and lotus
Have perfumes that into a headwind don’t float.
But into the wind blows the scent of the true:
The folk who are good every quarter imbue.

55

The fragrance of virtue surpasses that of sandalwood, lavender, lotus and jasmine.

56

Lavender, sandal and lotus aromas
Can only be rated as second-rate odours.
The fragrance of virtue, of all, is most excellent:
Even the heavens are blessed by that scent.

57

Mara cannot trace the path of those who are accomplished in virtue, who abide diligently, and who are freed through final knowledge.

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