Aversion - A Greater Danger than Attraction
“He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,”
in those who harbour such thoughts hatred is not appeased.
“He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,”
in those who do not harbor such thoughts hatred is appeased.
Hatred never ceases through hatred in this world;
through love alone does it cease. This is an eternal law.
The others know not that in this quarrel we perish;
those who realize it, have their quarrels calmed thereby.
Whoever lives contemplating pleasant things, with senses unrestrained,
in food immoderate, indolent, inactive, Māra (1) overthrows, as the wind
(overthrows) a weak tree.
Whoever lives contemplating repulsive things, with senses restrained, in
food moderate, full of faith, full of sustained energy, Māra does not
overthrow, as the wind (does not overthrow) a rocky mountain.
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(1) There are five kinds of Māra: i. the five Aggregates (khandha), ii. Volitional activities (abhisaṅkhāra), iii. Death (maccu), iv. Defilements (kilesa), and v. Māra the deity. Here, Māra is used in the sense of mental defilements.
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