Peridyd's Progress

This morning after meditating I was reminded that too much of a focus on words won't really get you very far. The rooster is a reliable mouthpiece, but he's not much good at getting you anywhere. You ultimately have to actually do something in order to get from one place to another. Talking about moving and movement doesn't really amount to much.

Nevertheless, when used wisely and in full awareness of its limits, language can be a powerful tool for remembering who were are and for defamiliarizing the mundane. I provide this as both a rationale for what follows and to honor the insight that I received this morning:

The Thousands
Better than a thousand hollow words Is one word that brings peace.

Better than a thousand hollow verses
Is one verse that brings peace.

Better than a hundred hollow lines
Is one line of the law, bringing peace.

It is better to conquer yourself
Than to win a thousand battles.

Then the victory is yours.

It cannot be taken from you,
Not by angels or by demons,
Heaven or hell.

Better than a hundred years of worship,
Better than a thousand offerings,
Better than giving up a thousand worldly ways
In order to win merit,
Better even than tending in the forest
A sacred flame for a hundred years—
Is one moment's reverence
For the man who has conquered himself.

To revere such a man,
A master old in virtue and holiness
Is to have victory over life itself,
And beauty, strength and happiness.

Better than a hundred years of mischief
Is one day spent in contemplation

Better than a hundred years of ignorance
Is one day spent in reflection.

Better than a hundred years of idleness
Is one day spent in determination.

Better to live one day
Wondering
How all things arise and pass away.

Better to live one hour
Seeing
The one life beyond the way.

Better to live one moment
In the moment
Of the way beyond the way.

The Dhammapada Trans. by Thomas Byrom

There are few passages in English that are as melodic as those last three lines.