The craving of one given to heedless living grows like a creeper.Like the monkey seeking fruits in the forest,he leaps from life to life (tasting the fruit of his kamma).– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 334
He who has reached the goal, is fearless,free from craving, passionless,and has plucked out the thorns of existenceÑ for him this is the last body.– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 351
Whoever is overcome by this wretched and sticky craving,his sorrows grow like grass after the rains.– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 335
He who is free from craving and attachment,is perfect in uncovering the true meaning of the Teaching,and knows the arrangement of the sacred texts in correct sequenceÑ he, indeed, is the bearer of his final body.He is truly called the profoundly wise one, the great man.– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 352
But whoever overcomes this wretched craving so difficult to overcome,from him sorrows fall away like water from a lotus leaf.– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 336
A victor am I over all, all have I known.Yet unattached am I to all that is conquered and known.Abandoning all, I am freed through the destruction of craving.Having thus directly comprehended all by myself, whom shall I call my teacher?– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 353
This I say to you: Good luck to all assembled here!Dig up the root of craving, like one in search of the fragrant root of the birana grass.Let not Mara crush you again and again,as a flood crushes a reed.– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 337
The gift of Dhamma excels all gifts;the taste of the Dhamma excels all tastes;the delight in Dhamma excels all delights.The Craving-Freed vanquishes all suffering.– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 354
Just as a tree, though cut down, sprouts up againif its roots remain uncut and firm,even so, until the craving that lies dormant is rooted out,suffering springs up again and again.– Dhammapada XXIV. Tanhavagga: Craving :: Verse 338
Just as a border city is closely guarded both within and without, even so, guard yourself.Do not let slip this opportunity (for spiritual growth).For those who let slip this opportunity grieve indeed when consigned to hell.– Dhammapada XXII. Nirayavagga: Hell :: Verse 315