The Brahmin - Concluding Chapter of the Dhammapada of the Compassionate Buddha

19th-century brahmins (C) alamy

Cross the river bravely, Conquer all your passions, Go beyond the world of fragments, And know the deathless ground of life.

Cross the river bravely, Conquer all your passions, Go beyond your likes and dislikes And all fetters will fall away.



Who is a true brahmin? Him I call a brahmin Who has neither likes nor dislikes, And is free from the chains of fear.



Who is a true brahmin? Him I call a brahmin Who has trained his mind to be still And reached the supreme goal of life.



The sun shines in the day; In the night, the moon; The warrior shines in battle; In meditation, the brahmin.


But day and night the Buddha shines In radiance of love for all.
Him I call a brahmin Who has shed all evil. He is called samana, “the serene,” And pabbajita, “a pure one.”



Him I call a brahmin Who is never angry, Never causes harm to others Even when he is harmed by them.



Him I call a brahmin Who clings not to pleasure. Do not cause sorrow to others: No more sorrow will come to you.

Him I call a brahmin Who does not hurt others With unkind acts, words, or thoughts. His body and mind obey him.

Him I call a brahmin Who walks in the footsteps Of the Buddha. Light your torch too From the fire of his sacrifice.

Not matted hair nor birth Makes a man a brahmin, But the truth and love for all life With which his heart is full.

Of what use is matted hair? Of what use a skin of deer On which to sit in meditation, If your mind is seething with lust?

Saffron robe, outward show, Does not make a brahmin, But training of the mind and senses Through practice of meditation.

Not riches nor high caste Makes a man a brahmin. Free yourself from selfish desires And you will become a brahmin.

He has thrown off his chains; He trembles not in fear.
No selfish bonds can ensnare him, No impure thought pollute his mind.

Him I call a brahmin Who fears not jail nor death.

Wanting nothing at all, Doubting nothing at all, Master of his body and mind, He has gone beyond time and death.

Him I call a brahmin Who turns his back on himself. Homeless, he is ever at home; Egoless, he is ever full.

This is the concluding chapter of the Dhammapada of the Compassionate Buddha. The word brahmin literally means &ldqauoone who is worthy of knowing God” (Brahman). Translated by Eknath Easwaran in The Dhammapada (Petaluma, California: Nilgiri Press, 1985).