Daily Buddhism

The Dhammapada

Of all the ancient Buddhist texts, the Dhammapada is easily my favorite. The name translates roughly to ‚ÄúPath of the Dharma.‚Äù The 26 chapters of the book are supposedly directly from the mouth of the Buddha. They encompass a wide variety of topics, compiled into a single book by some ancient follower of . . . → Read More: The Dhammapada Chapter 1: The Twin Verses

Chapter II
On Earnestness

21. Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvana), thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not die, those who are thoughtless are as if dead already.

22. Those who are advanced in earnestness, having understood this clearly, delight in earnestness, and rejoice in the knowledge of the Ariyas (the elect).

23. . . . → Read More: Dhammapada Chapter 2: On Earnestness

Dhammapada Chapter 3: Thought

33. As a fletcher makes straight his arrow, a wise man makes straight his trembling and unsteady thought, which is difficult to guard, difficult to hold back.

34. As a fish taken from his watery home and thrown on dry ground, our thought trembles all over in order to escape the dominion of . . . → Read More: Dhammapada Chapter 3: Thought

Chapter IV
Flowers

44. Who shall overcome this earth, and the world of Yama the lord of the departed, and the world of the gods? Who shall find out the plainly shown path of virtue, as a clever man finds out the right flower?

45. The disciple will overcome the earth, and the world of Yama, and the . . . → Read More: Dhammapada Chapter 4: Flowers

Chapter V
The Fool

60. Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the true law.

61. If a traveller does not meet with one who is his better, or his equal, let him firmly keep to his solitary . . . → Read More: Dhammapada Chapter 5: The Fool

Chapter VI
The Wise Man (Pandita)

76. If you see an intelligent man who tells you where true treasures are to be found, who shows what is to be avoided, and administers reproofs, follow that wise man; it will be better, not worse, for those who follow him.

77. Let him admonish, let him teach, let him forbid what . . . → Read More: Dhammapada Chapter 6: The Wise Man

Chapter VII
The Venerable Arhat.

90. There is no suffering for him who has finished his journey, and abandoned grief, who has freed himself on all sides, and thrown off all fetters.

91. They depart with their thoughts well-collected, they are not happy in their abode; like swans who have left their lake, they leave their house and home.

92. . . . → Read More: Dhammapada Chapter 7: The Venerable Arhat

Chapter VIII
The Thousands

100. Even though a speech be a thousand words, but made up of senseless words, one word of sense is better, which if a man hears, he becomes quiet.

101. Even though a Gatha poem be a thousand words, but made up of senseless words, one word of a Gatha is better, which if a . . . → Read More: Dhammapada Chapter 8: The Thousands