The Way Of The Bodhisattva 1.29 - 1.36

1.29

But those who fill with bliss

All beings destitute of joy,

Who cut all pain and suffering away

From those weighed down with misery,

1.30

Who drive away the darkness of their ignorance –

What virtue could be matched with theirs?

What friend could be compared to them?

What merit is there similar to this?

1.31

If they do some good, in thanks

For favors once received, are praised,

Why need we speak of bodhisattvas –

Those who freely benefit the world?

1.32

Those who, scornfully with condescension,

Give, just once, a single meal to others –

Feeding them for only half a day –

Are honored by the world as virtuous.

1.33

What need is there to speak of those

Who constantly bestow on boundless multitudes

The peerless joy of blissful buddhahood,

The ultimate fulfillment of their hopes?

1.34

And those who harbor evil in their minds

Against such lords of generosity, the Buddha’s heirs,

Will stay in hell, the Mighty One has said,

For ages equal to the moments of their malice.

1.35

By contrast, good and virtuous thoughts

Will yield abundant fruits in greater measure.

Even in adversity, the bodhisattvas

Never bring forth evil – only an increasing stream of

Goodness.

1.36

To them in whom this precious sacred mind

Is born – to them I bow!

I go for the refuge in that source of happiness

That brings its very enemies to perfect bliss.

 End of Chapter 1