2.8. Dharma as a Boat

Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā,

Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya;

So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto,

Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.

Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro,

Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno;

Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti,

Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.

Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno,

Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca;

Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,

Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.

Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā,

Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ;

So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī,

Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.

Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,

Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ;

Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho,

Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.

Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā,

Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto;

So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe,

Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā.

Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto,

Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo;

So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ,

Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.

Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha,

Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca;

Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno,

Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti.

Nāvāsuttaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.

SC 1SC Verse 319As devas do venerate their lord, Indra king,
so likewise to that person from whom one knows Dharma,
respected, clear-minded, and very learned too,
that teacher makes manifest the words of the Dharma.

SC 2SC Verse 320This having considered then, the wise person,
while practising Dharma according with Dharma,
becomes learned, intelligent, subtle-minded too,
by diligently dwelling with one who is Such.

SC 3SC Verse 321But by following the foolish, inferior fellow,
who’s not found Dharma’s goal, while envious of others,
to death one will come before Dharma knowing,
not having crossed over (the river of doubts).

SC 4SC Verse 322Just as a person going into a river
swollen in flood and very swiftly flowing,
would be carried away by the force of the current—
then how can this person help others across?

SC 5SC Verse 323So it’s the same with the unpractised person,
who knows not the Dharma as explained by the wise,
sans knowledge profound, not crossed over doubting:
how could this person cause others to Know?

SC 6SC Verse 324But one who does on a strong boat embark,
furnished with oars and rudder complete,
as skilled in the means, with wisdom as well,
that one can take so many others across.

SC 7SC Verse 325Of mind developed deeply, one who Knows truly,
one of great learning, or unshakeable Dharma,
other people can lead who possess the capacity
to listen attentively and penetrate deeply.

SC 8SC Verse 326Therefore be sure to frequent a True person,
an intelligent one who is of great learning,
realized in the meaning, practised on the Path,
a Knower of Dharma attained to the Bliss.