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20060117

The Foremost Good Fortune

Hunger: the foremost illness.
Fabrications: the foremost pain.
For one knowing this truth
As it actually is,
Unbinding
Is the foremost ease.

Freedom from illness: the foremost good fortune.
Contentment: the foremost wealth.
Trust: the foremost kinship.
Unbinding: the foremost ease.

-Dhammapada, 15, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Chapter 15 of the Dhammapada is called Sukhavagga (Happiness).

In contrast with Thanissaro Bhikhu's translation, Acharya Buddharakkhita's translation reflects on the same verses (203 and 204) of the Dhammapada:

Hunger is the worst disease, conditioned things the worst suffering. Knowing this as it really is, the wise realize Nibbana, the highest bliss.

Health is the most precious gain and contentment the greatest wealth. A trustworthy person is the best kinsman, Nibbana the highest bliss.

Thus Nibbana (Nirvana) means unbinding, i.e. letting go of the ties that bind us to birth-life-death (samsara), helping us to accept spiritual suffering as-is.

This does not mean we accept illness and disease without seeking medical and professional help.

What it does mean is that we voice our complaints and receive medical assistance when needed.

After much meditation and subsequent control of the mind, for the Buddhist, Nirvana is samsara.

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