Seeing Through the World's Illusions — The Dhammapada

The world pulls hard, and most people never stop to ask why. Buddha says do not follow bad law, drift without thinking, or follow false teaching. Wake up and follow the path of virtue. Look at the world like a bubble or a mirage. Death's king cannot catch someone who sees through it this way. Look at this shiny world like a royal chariot. Fools dive into it. Wise people do not touch it.

Someone reckless who later wakes up lights up the world like the moon coming out from clouds. Good deeds can cover old bad ones the same way. This world is dark. Few people see clearly. Only a few reach heaven, like birds that escaped a net. Swans fly on the sun's path through the sky. Wise people leave this world when they beat Mara and his army.

If someone breaks one law, lies, and mocks another world, there is no evil he will not try. Stingy people do not reach the gods. Wise people love giving and become blessed. Better than ruling the earth, better than heaven, better than power over every world, is the reward of taking the first step toward holiness.