KN.DHP179-196 — The Chapter on the Tathagata
The one who is conquered is not overcome, the one who is conquered does not go anywhere in the world; How will you lead the Buddha, with infinite range, the pathless, by a path?
For whom there is no craving, the entangling snare, to lead anywhere; How will you lead the Buddha, with infinite range, the pathless, by a path?
Those wise ones who are devoted to meditation, delighting in renunciation and calm; Even the gods envy them, the mindful, fully awakened ones.
Difficult is the attainment of human birth, difficult is the life of mortals; Difficult is the hearing of the true Dhamma, difficult is the arising of Buddhas.
To abstain from all evil, to cultivate good, to purify one's mind, this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
Patience is the highest austerity, Nibbāna is supreme, say the Buddhas; One who harms others is not a recluse, one who injures others is not a disciple.
Not speaking ill, not harming, restraint in the Pātimokkha; Moderation in food, a secluded dwelling place, and devotion to higher meditation, this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
Not by a shower of coins is there satisfaction in sensual pleasures; Knowing this, the wise one finds no delight even in heavenly pleasures; The disciple of the Fully Awakened One delights in the destruction of craving.
Many indeed go for refuge to mountains, forests, parks, and trees, driven by fear; This is not a secure refuge, this is not the supreme refuge; By going to this refuge, one is not freed from all suffering.
But whoever goes for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Saṅgha, sees with right wisdom the Four Noble Truths: Suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the cessation of suffering.
This is a secure refuge, this is the supreme refuge; By going to this refuge, one is freed from all suffering.
Rare is the birth of a noble person, he is not born everywhere; Wherever such a wise one is born, that family prospers.
Happy is the arising of Buddhas, happy is the teaching of the true Dhamma; Happy is the unity of the Saṅgha, happy is the practice of those in harmony.
For those who honor the worthy, whether Buddhas or disciples, who have transcended proliferation, who have crossed over sorrow and lamentation; For those who honor such ones, who are extinguished, fearless from any quarter, it is not possible to measure the merit, even if it is just this much.