ETHICS · DHAMMAPADA 271
Before You Act
Not only by discipline and vows, not only by much learning, not by entering into a trance, not by sleeping alone, do I earn the happiness of release which no worldling can know. Bhikshu, be not confident as long as thou hast not attained the extinction of desires.
Dhammapada 271, 272 · Chapter 19, The Just · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “Not only by discipline and vows, not only by much learning, not by entering into a….” In its chapter, this image points toward justice as conduct rather than status. Notice the difference between enjoying an experience and requiring it to provide lasting security. 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 promise to yourself deserves to be kept?