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The Dhammapada · 3 of 3 · tr. F. Max Müller

Chapter XXIV, Section 1c

Pleasures destroy the foolish, if they look not for the other shore; the foolish by his thirst for pleasures destroys himself, as if he were his own enemy. [352. As to nirutti, and its technical meaning among the Buddhists, see Burnouf, Lotus, p. 841. Fausböll translates 'niruttis vocabulorum peritus,' which may be right, if we take nirutti in the sense of the language of the Scriptures. See note to verse 363 . Could not sannipâta mean sa m hitâ or sannikarsha? Sannipâta occurs in the S âkala-prâti s âkhya, but with a different meaning. 353. Cf. Suttanipâta, v. 210 . 354. The dhammadâna, or 'gift of the law,' is the technical term for instruction in the Buddhist religion. See Buddhaghosha's Parables, p. 160, where the story of the Sakkadevarâ g a is told, and where a free rendering of our verse is given.] p. 84 356. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by passion: therefore a gift bestowed on the passionless brings great reward. 357. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by hatred: therefore a gift bestowed on those who do not hate brings great reward. 358. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by vanity: therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from vanity brings great reward. 359. The fields are damaged by weeds, mankind is damaged by lust: therefore a gift bestowed on those who are free from lust brings great reward.
Themes
◆Detachment Gelassenheitpraxis

Eckhart's Abgeschiedenheit/Gelassenheit — radical letting-go of will, image, and grasping that opens the soul to God; distinct from inner_silence (quietness) and from material renunciation, and adjacent to Sufi tark and Buddhist non-grasping as a practice rather than a metaphysical claim.

The instruction to give to those who are free from vanity and lust reflects a radical letting-go of attachment to worldly desires.

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◆Good Thought Word Deedethics

The Zoroastrian triad of right thought, right speech, and right action as the foundation of ethical life; truth-in-living.

The passage emphasizes the reward associated with giving to those who are free from negative states like vanity and lust, aligning with the ethical triad of right action.

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◆Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

The text presents a paradoxical instruction that giving to the 'passionless' brings great reward, challenging ordinary expectations about generosity.

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◆Renunciation Of Wealthethics

The spiritual danger of attachment to material possessions; wealth as a spiritual obstacle.

The passage warns against the foolishness of seeking pleasures and attachment to material states like vanity and lust.

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◆Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

The text warns that the foolish destroy themselves by looking not for the other shore, implying a lack of understanding of the true path or destination.

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◆Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

The reference to 'the other shore' suggests a journey toward a higher state beyond material desires.

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