Dhamma Gems

[Nicholas Weeks]

Lastly a verse summation:

Energetic and heedful in his tasks,
Wisely administering his wealth,
He lives a balanced life,
Protecting what he has amassed.

Endowed with faith and virtue too,
Generous he is and free from avarice;
He ever works to clear the path
That leads to weal in future life.

Thus to the layman full of faith,
By him, so truly named 'Enlightened,'
These eight conditions have been told
Which now and after lead to bliss.

AN 8:54

[Crazy cloud]

Every time when reading reaches the final part of this sutta, tears of joy is running down my cheeks ...

Just imagine the joy when you know at least one person understood what you discovered.

Exactly, and contemplating how the Awakened one came to that knowing makes one want to jump up and cry:

Through many a birth in samsara
have I wandered in vain,
seeking the builder of this house of life.
Repeated birth is indeed suffering.

O house-builder, you are seen!
You will not build this house again.
For your rafters are broken
and your ridgepole shattered.
My mind has reached the unconditioned;
I have attained the destruction of craving.

I love the smell of Dhammapada in the morning, it smells like ... victory!