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Dhammapada
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1-2*: 1

Phenomena are     preceded by the heart,
        ruled by the heart,
        made of the heart.
If you speak or act
with a corrupted heart,
then suffering follows you --
as the wheel of the cart,
    the track of the ox
    that pulls it.

Phenomena are     preceded by the heart,
        ruled by the heart,
        made of the heart.
If you speak or act
with a calm, bright heart,
then happiness follows you,
like a shadow
    that never leaves.

 



1 -2: The fact that the word mano is paired here with dhamma would seem to suggest that it is meant in its role as "intellect," the sense medium that conveys knowledge of ideas or mental objects (two possible meanings for the word dhamma). However, the illustrations in the second sentence of each verse show that it is actually meant in its role as the mental factor responsible for the quality of one's actions (as in mano-kamma), the factor of will and intention, shaping not only mental events, but also physical reality (on this point, see S.XXXV.145). Thus, following a Thai tradition, I have rendered it here as "heart."

The images in these verses are carefully chosen. The cart, representing suffering, is a burden on the ox pulling it, and the weight of its wheels obliterates the ox's track. The shadow, representing happiness, is no weight on the body at all.

All Pali recensions of this verse give the reading, manomaya = made of the heart, while all other recensions give the reading manojava = impelled by the heart.





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