Part 18 - Sukhavagga - Happiness

166. Yo pubbe karaniyani
paccha so katum icchati
sukha so dhamsate thana
paccha ca m-anutappati.

One who later wishes to do
the things he should have done before
falls away from happiness
and long afterwards repents.

167. Kodham chetva sukham seti
kodham chetva na socati
kodhassa visamulassa
madhuraggassa brahmana
vadham ariya pasamsanti
tam hi chetva na socati.

Slay anger and you will be happy,
slay anger and you will not sorrow.
For the slaying of anger in all its forms
with its poisoned root and sweet sting —
that is the slaying the nobles praise;
with anger slain one weeps no more.

168. Yam pare sukhato ahu
tad ariya ahu dukkhato
yam pare dukkhato ahu
tad ariya sukhato vidu
passa dhammam durajanam
sammulh'ettha aviddasu.

What others call happiness,
the noble call pain;
what others call pain,
the noble call happiness.
Behold this Dhamma hard to comprehend
by which the dull are utterly baffled.

169. Sabbada va sukham seti
brahmano parinibbuto
yo na limpati kamesu
sitibhuto nirupadhi.

Always happy is the holy man
who is wholly free within,
who is not stained by sense desires —
cooled is he and free from clinging.

170. Yam ca kamasukham loke
yam c'idam diviyam sukham
tanhakkhayasukhassa te
kalam n'agghanti solasim.

The happiness of sensual lust
and the happiness of heavenly bliss
are not equal to a sixteenth part
of the happiness of craving's end.

171. Sabba asattiyo chetva
vineyya hadaye daram
upasanto sukham seti
santim pappuyya cetasa.

With all his attachments cut,
with the heart's pinings subdued,
calm and serene and happy is he,
for he has attained peace of mind.

172. Pamujjabahulo bhikkhu
dhamme buddhappavedite
adhigacche padam santam
sankharupasamam sukham.

A monk who has abundant joy
in the Dhamma taught by the Buddha,
will attain peace and happiness,
with the calming of the constructs.

173. Sukho viveko tutthassa
sutadhammassa passato
avyapajjham sukham loke
panabhutesu samyamo.

Solitude is happiness for one who is content,
who has heard the Dhamma and clearly sees.
Non-affliction is happiness in the world —
harmlessness towards all living beings.

174. Sukha viragata loke
kamanam samatikkamo
asmimanassa yo vinayo
etam ve paramam sukham.

Freedom from lust is happiness in the world,
the going beyond all sensual desires.
But the crushing out of the conceit "I am" —
this is the highest happiness.

175. Susukham vata nibbanam
sammasambuddhadesitam
asokam virajam khemam
yattha dukkham nirujjhati.

The fully perfected Buddha has taught
Nibbana as the highest happiness —
without grief, immaculate, secure,
the state where all suffering ceases.