The Boat

If you would learn the teaching from someone,honor them as the gods honor Indra.Then they will have confidence in you,and being learned, they reveal the teaching.

Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā, Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya; So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto, Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.

If you would learn the teaching from someone,Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā, honor them as the gods honor Indra.Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya; Then they will have confidence in you,So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto, and being learned, they reveal the teaching.Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.

Heeding well, an attentive one,practicing in line with that teachinggrows intelligent, discerning, and subtlethrough diligently sticking close to such a person.

Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro, Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno; Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti, Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.

Heeding well, an attentive one,Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro, practicing in line with that teachingDhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno; grows intelligent, discerning, and subtleViññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti, through diligently sticking close to such a person.Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.

But associating with a petty foolwho falls short of the goal, jealous,then unable to discern the teaching in this life,one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.

Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno, Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca; Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā, Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.

But associating with a petty foolKhuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno, who falls short of the goal, jealous,Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca; then unable to discern the teaching in this life,Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā, one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.

It’s like a man who has plunged into a river,a rushing torrent in spate.As they are swept away downstream,how could they help others across?

Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā, Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ; So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī, Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.

It’s like a man who has plunged into a river,Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā, a rushing torrent in spate.Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ; As they are swept away downstream,So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī, how could they help others across?Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.

Just so, one unable to discern the teaching,who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned,not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts,how could they help others to contemplate?

Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā, Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ; Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho, Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.

Just so, one unable to discern the teaching,Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā, who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned,Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ; not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts,Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho, how could they help others to contemplate?Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.

But one who has embarked on a strong boatequipped with rudder and oar,would bring many others across therewith skill, care, and intelligence.

Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā, Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto; *Phiyena → piyena (bj, sya-all, pts-vp-pli1)So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe, Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā. *mutīmā → matimā (sya-all, mr)

But one who has embarked on a strong boatYathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā, equipped with rudder and oar,Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto; *Phiyena → piyena (bj, sya-all, pts-vp-pli1)would bring many others across thereSo tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe, with skill, care, and intelligence.Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā. *mutīmā → matimā (sya-all, mr)

So too one who understands—a knowledge master,evolved, learned, and unflappable—can help others to contemplate,so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.

Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto, Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo; So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ, Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.

So too one who understands—a knowledge master,Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto, evolved, learned, and unflappable—Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo; can help others to contemplate,So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ, so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.

That’s why you should spend time with a true person,intelligent and learned.Having understood the meaning, <j>putting it into practice,one who understands the teaching <j>would find happiness.

Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha, Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca; Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno, Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti. *sa sukhaṁ → so sukhaṁ (bj, pts-vp-pli1)

That’s why you should spend time with a true person,Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha, intelligent and learned.Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca; Having understood the meaning, <j>putting it into practice,Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno, one who understands the teaching <j>would find happiness.Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti. *sa sukhaṁ → so sukhaṁ (bj, pts-vp-pli1)