WISDOM · DHAMMAPADA 175

One Useful Truth

The swans go on the path of the sun, they go through the ether by means of their miraculous power; the wise are led out of this world, when they have conquered Mara and his train.

Dhammapada 175 · Chapter 13, The World · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “The swans go on the path of the sun, they go through the ether by means….” In its chapter, this image points toward seeing through distraction and appearance. The water imagery emphasizes accumulation: a mind and a life are shaped by many small conditions, not one dramatic moment. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

What is useful to know in this moment—and what is merely noise?