4.
The Chapter on Flowers
Who will select the well-expounded passage of the Teaching, like a skilled person a flower.
A trainee will select the well-expounded passage of the Teaching, like a skilled person a flower.
Having cut off Māra's flower-tipped arrows, one should go beyond the sight of the King of Death.
Death takes him away, as a great flood a sleeping village.
Unsatisfied in sensual pleasures, Death brings under his control.
Departs having taken the nectar, so should a sage wander in the village.
One should consider only oneself, what one has done and left undone.
So well-spoken words are fruitless for one who does not practise them.
So well-spoken words are fruitful for one who practises them.
So by a mortal born, much wholesome should be done.
But the odour of the good goes against the wind, a good person pervades all directions.
Of these kinds of odours, the odour of morality is unsurpassed.
But the odour of the moral ones, blows as the highest among the gods.
Completely liberated through final knowledge, Māra does not find the path.
A lotus might grow there, fragrant and delightful.
The disciple of the Fully Self-Enlightened One outshines them with wisdom.
The Chapter on Flowers is concluded as fourth.