Part 19 - Tunhivagga - Silence

176. Samanabhavam kubbetha
game akutthavanditam
manopadosam rakkheyya
santo anunnato care.

Develop the quiet even state of mind,
when praised by some, condemned by others,
free the mind from hate and pride
and gently go your way in peace.

177. Tan nadihi vijanatha
sobbhesu padaresu ca
sananta yanti kussubbha
tunhi yati mahodadhi.

Learn this from the waters:
in mountain clefts and chasms,
loud gush the streamlets,
but great rivers flow silently.

178. Yad unakam tam sanati
yam puram santam eva tam
addhakumbhupamo balo
rahado puro'va pandito.

Things that are empty make a noise,
the full is always quiet.
The fool is like a half-filled pot,
the wise man like a deep still pool.

179. Kayamunim vacamunim
manomunim anasavam
muni moneyyasampannam
ahu nihatapapakam.

Silent in body, silent in speech,
silent in mind, without defilement,
blessed with silence is the sage.
He is truly washed of evil.

180. Upasanto uparato
mantabhani anuddhato
dhunati papake dhamme
dumapattam va maluto.

Peaceful, quiet and restrained,
speaking little, without conceit —
such a one shakes off all evil
as wind shakes leaves off a tree.

181. Cakkhumassa yatha andho,
sotava badhiro yatha
paññav'assa yatha mugo
balava dubbalor iva.

Let one with sight be as though blind,
and one who hears be as though deaf,
let one with tongue be as though dumb,
let one who is strong be as though weak.

182. Avitakkam samapanno
sammasambuddhasavako
ariyena tunhibhavena
upeto hoti tavade.

Having attained the meditative state
where all thoughts come to a stop,
the disciple of the perfected Buddha
thereby possesses the noble silence.

183. Yatha jalo ca mugo ca
attanam dassaye tatha
nativelam pabhaseyya
sanghamajjhamhi pandito.

The wise one in the midst of an assembly
should not speak excessively long.
He should let himself appear
like a simpleton or a dullard.

184. Etam nagassa nagena
isadantassa hatthino
sameti cittam cittena
yam eko ramati vane.

In this both mighty beings agree,
the enlightened sage and the elephant
with tusks resembling the poles of plows:
both love the solitude of the forest.

185. Vihavihabhinadite
sippikabhirutehi ca
na me tam phandati cittam
ekattaniratam hi me

Amidst the chirping and twittering
of the birds in the woods
this mind of mine does not waver
for I am devoted to solitude.