Dhamma (nāvā) sutta

Sutta Nipāta 2.8

Anthology of Discourses 2.8

Dhamma (nāvā) sutta

The Boat

Yasmā hi dhammaṁ puriso vijaññā,

If you would learn the teaching from someone,

Indaṁva naṁ devatā pūjayeyya;

honor them as the gods honor Indra.

So pūjito tasmi pasannacitto,

Then they will have confidence in you,

Bahussuto pātukaroti dhammaṁ.

and being learned, they reveal the teaching.

Tadaṭṭhikatvāna nisamma dhīro,

Heeding well, an attentive one,

Dhammānudhammaṁ paṭipajjamāno;

practicing in line with that teaching

Viññū vibhāvī nipuṇo ca hoti,

grows intelligent, discerning, and subtle

Yo tādisaṁ bhajati appamatto.

through diligently sticking close to such a person.

Khuddañca bālaṁ upasevamāno,

But associating with a petty fool

Anāgatatthañca usūyakañca;

who falls short of the goal, jealous,

Idheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,

then unable to discern the teaching in this life,

Avitiṇṇakaṅkho maraṇaṁ upeti.

one proceeds to death still plagued by doubts.

Yathā naro āpagamotaritvā,

It’s like a man who has plunged into a river,

Mahodakaṁ salilaṁ sīghasotaṁ;

a rushing torrent in spate.

So vuyhamāno anusotagāmī,

As they are swept away downstream,

Kiṁ so pare sakkhati tārayetuṁ.

how could they help others across?

Tatheva dhammaṁ avibhāvayitvā,

Just so, one unable to discern the teaching,

Bahussutānaṁ anisāmayatthaṁ;

who hasn’t studied the meaning under the learned,

Sayaṁ ajānaṁ avitiṇṇakaṅkho,

not knowing it oneself, still plagued by doubts,

Kiṁ so pare sakkhati nijjhapetuṁ.

how could they help others to contemplate?

Yathāpi nāvaṁ daḷhamāruhitvā,

But one who has embarked on a strong boat

Phiyena rittena samaṅgibhūto;

equipped with rudder and oar,

So tāraye tattha bahūpi aññe,

would bring many others across there

Tatrūpayaññū kusalo mutīmā.

with skill, care, and thoughtfulness.

Evampi yo vedagu bhāvitatto,

So too one who understands—a knowledge master,

Bahussuto hoti avedhadhammo;

evolved, learned, and unflappable—

So kho pare nijjhapaye pajānaṁ,

can help others to contemplate,

Sotāvadhānūpanisūpapanne.

so long as they are prepared to listen carefully.

Tasmā have sappurisaṁ bhajetha,

That’s why you should spend time with a true person,

Medhāvinañceva bahussutañca;

intelligent and learned.

Aññāya atthaṁ paṭipajjamāno,

Having understood the meaning,
putting it into practice,

Viññātadhammo sa sukhaṁ labhethāti.

one who understands the teaching
would find happiness.

Nāvāsuttaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.