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Khuddaka Nikāya - The Minor Texts

Dhammapada - Chapter 22: Nirayavagga - Hell

306The liar goes to the state of woe; also he who, having done (wrong), says, "I did not do it." Men of base actions both, on departing they share the same destiny in the other world.

307There are many evil characters and uncontrolled men wearing the saffron robe. These wicked men will be born in states of woe because of their evil deeds.

308It would be better to swallow a red-hot iron ball, blazing like fire, than as an immoral and uncontrolled monk to eat the alms of the people.

309Four misfortunes befall the reckless man who consorts with another's wife: acquisition of demerit, disturbed sleep, ill-repute, and (rebirth in) states of woe.

310Such a man acquires demerit and an unhappy birth in the future. Brief is the pleasure of the frightened man and woman, and the king imposes heavy punishment. Hence, let no man consort with another's wife.

311Just as kusa grass wrongly handled cuts the hand, even so, a recluse's life wrongly lived drags one to states of woe.

312Any loose act, any corrupt observance, any life of questionable celibacy — none of these bear much fruit.

313If anything is to be done, let one do it with sustained vigor. A lax monastic life stirs up the dust of passions all the more.

314An evil deed is better left undone, for such a deed torments one afterwards. But a good deed is better done, doing which one repents not later.

315Just as a border city is closely guarded both within and without, even so, guard yourself. Do not let slip this opportunity (for spiritual growth). For those who let slip this opportunity grieve indeed when consigned to hell.

316Those who are ashamed of what they should not be ashamed of, and are not ashamed of what they should be ashamed of — upholding false views, they go to states of woe.

317Those who see something to fear where there is nothing to fear, and see nothing to fear where there is something to fear — upholding false views, they go to states of woe.

318Those who imagine evil where there is none, and do not see evil where it is — upholding false views, they go to states of woe.

319Those who discern the wrong as wrong and the right as right — upholding right views, they go to realms of bliss.

306Abhūtavādī nirayaṁ upeti,
Yo vāpi katvā na karomi cāha;
Ubhopi te pecca samā bhavanti,
Nihīnakammā manujā parattha.

307Kāsāvakaṇṭhā bahavo,
pāpadhammā asaññatā;
Pāpā pāpehi kammehi,
nirayaṁ te upapajjare.

308Seyyo ayoguḷo bhutto,
tatto aggisikhūpamo;
Yañce bhuñjeyya dussīlo,
raṭṭhapiṇḍamasaññato.

309Cattāri ṭhānāni naro pamatto,
Āpajjati paradārūpasevī;
Apuññalābhaṁ na nikāmaseyyaṁ,
Nindaṁ tatīyaṁ nirayaṁ catutthaṁ.

310Apuññalābho ca gatī ca pāpikā,
Bhītassa bhītāya ratī ca thokikā;
Rājā ca daṇḍaṁ garukaṁ paṇeti,
Tasmā naro paradāraṁ na seve.

311Kuso yathā duggahito,
hatthamevānukantati;
Sāmaññaṁ dupparāmaṭṭhaṁ,
nirayāyupakaḍḍhati.

312Yaṁ kiñci sithilaṁ kammaṁ,
saṅkiliṭṭhañca yaṁ vataṁ;
Saṅkassaraṁ brahmacariyaṁ,
na taṁ hoti mahapphalaṁ.

313Kayirā ce kayirāthenaṁ,
daḷhamenaṁ parakkame;
Sithilo hi paribbājo,
bhiyyo ākirate rajaṁ.

314Akataṁ dukkaṭaṁ seyyo,
pacchā tappati dukkaṭaṁ;
Katañca sukataṁ seyyo,
yaṁ katvā nānutappati.

315Nagaraṁ yathā paccantaṁ,
guttaṁ santarabāhiraṁ;
Evaṁ gopetha attānaṁ,
khaṇo vo mā upaccagā;
Khaṇātītā hi socanti,
nirayamhi samappitā.

316Alajjitāye lajjanti,
lajjitāye na lajjare;
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā,
sattā gacchanti duggatiṁ.

317Abhaye bhayadassino,
bhaye cābhayadassino;
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā,
sattā gacchanti duggatiṁ.

318Avajje vajjamatino,
vajje cāvajjadassino;
Micchādiṭṭhisamādānā,
sattā gacchanti duggatiṁ.

319Vajjañca vajjato ñatvā,
avajjañca avajjato;
Sammādiṭṭhisamādānā,
sattā gacchanti suggatiṁ.

Nirayavaggo dvāvīsatimo.