1

What The Buddha What The Buddha

Said OnSaid On

MindMind

2

As the fletcher whittlesAs the fletcher whittles

And makes straight his arrows,And makes straight his arrows,

So the master directs So the master directs

His straying thoughts.His straying thoughts.

3 3

Like aLike a fish out of water,fish out of water,

Stranded on the shore,Stranded on the shore,

Thoughts thrash and quiver.Thoughts thrash and quiver.

For how can they shake off desire?For how can they shake off desire?

4 4

They tremble, they are unsteady,They tremble, they are unsteady,

They wander at their will.They wander at their will.

It is good to control them,It is good to control them,

And to master them brings happiness.And to master them brings happiness.

5 5

But how subtle they are.But how subtle they are.

How elusive!How elusive!

The task is to quieten them,The task is to quieten them,

And by ruling them to find happiness.And by ruling them to find happiness.

6 6

With single-mindednessWith single-mindedness

The master quells his thoughts.The master quells his thoughts.

He ends their wandering.He ends their wandering.

Seated in the cave of the heart,Seated in the cave of the heart,

He finds freedom.He finds freedom.

7 7

How can a troubled mindHow can a troubled mind

Understand The Way?Understand The Way?

If a man is disturbedIf a man is disturbed

He will never be filled with knowledge.He will never be filled with knowledge.

8 8

An untroubled mind,An untroubled mind,

No longer seeking to considerNo longer seeking to consider

What is right and what is wrong,What is right and what is wrong,

A mind beyond judgments,A mind beyond judgments,

Watches and understands.Watches and understands.

9 9

Know that the body is a fragile jar,Know that the body is a fragile jar,

And make a castle of your mind.And make a castle of your mind.

In every trialIn every trial

Let understanding fight for youLet understanding fight for you

To defend what you have won. To defend what you have won.

10 10

For soon the body is discarded.For soon the body is discarded.

Then what does it feel?Then what does it feel?

A useless log of wood, it lies on the ground.A useless log of wood, it lies on the ground.

Then what does it know?Then what does it know?

11 11

Your worst enemy cannot harm youYour worst enemy cannot harm you

As much as your own thoughts, unguarded.As much as your own thoughts, unguarded.

12 12

But once mastered,But once mastered,

No one can help you as much,No one can help you as much,

Not even your father or mother.Not even your father or mother.

13 13

The EndThe End

Let The Let The

Dhamma-VinayaDhamma-Vinaya

Be Your Teacher.Be Your Teacher.

Strive On Strive On Mindfully.Mindfully.

With Metta,With Metta,

Bro. Oh Teik BinBro. Oh Teik Bin