The Dhammapada: The Buddha's Path of Wisdom

by Acharya Buddharakkhita, Bhikkhu Bodhi (Introduction)

An anthology of 423 verses spoken by the Buddha, the Dhammapada serves as the perfect compendium of his teachings for study, reflection, and contemplation. This popular edition from the Buddhist Publication Society transmits the spirit and content as well as the style of the original, skillfully combining clarity and vigor of expression with careful fidelity to the meaning.The inclusion of the Pali text gives students of Pali immediate access to the original. A long introduction by Bhikkhu Bodhi describes the structure of the Dhammapada and shows how the work embodies the essential teachings of the Buddha."Wherever [The Dhammapada] has become known its moral earnestness, realistic understanding of human life, aphoristic wisdom, and stirring message of a way to freedom from suffering has won for it the devotion and veneration of those responsive to the good and the true." from the Introduction

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion

156 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2019

Reviews

[james · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Psalms but not Psalms. Verses in the style of Buddhist philosophy, even more, phrases Gotama used when speaking to various people or groups. I have a couple favorites (verse 165) : "By oneself is evil done, by oneself is one defiled. By oneself is evil left undone, by oneself is one purified. Purity and impurity depend on myself - no one can purify another." I like this one because it says its up to you. It's all up to you. Self-agency. It encourages us not to look to be saved, but to be our own salvation. There's another verse where Gotama is asked who taught him what he knows about this path? He concludes saying in so many words that this path he learned himself (verse 353). The buddha says be a refuge unto oneself. If you can find wise friends, do everything you can to secure and strengthen these relationships, but if you hang with fools, you're better off on your own and you should make haste to seperate from these fools, being better off on one's own as "fools are enemies unto themselves" (verse 66). Again and again the buddha urges anyone interested in this path to pursue it with urgency and effort. Seek the other shore. The wisdom seems endless in the literature and these verses nicely summarize the essence of the buddha's teachings. I have another about someone who doesn't practice what he's preaching or one who quotes teachings but doesn't practice them. This person is like a cowherder who counts another's cattle. You're not partaking of the blessings of the holy life (verse 19).

[robert e. watling jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have at least ten translations of the Dhammapada on my kindle, but this is the one I always come back to. My favorite verse is "183. To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s own mind—this is the teaching of the Buddhas." This is the whole Buddhist practice in one sentence. Everything else he taught in his life was an enlargement on this reading. This book is a life changing and mind-expanding experience.

[Venkat Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dhammapada is a timeless source of inspiration and practical instruction for the earnest seeker. It is a wonderful guidebook of practical spirituality. Each of its 423 verses provides an extremely valuable instruction for right living.

The verses are arranged in 26 chapters, in an easily understandable manner. All the verses in a chapter exhibit a meaningful development of one theme.

This is a unique book comprising the most stimulating thoughts arranged in the most lucid style.

[Francisca Villahermosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic teachings of Buddhism

By basic I mean essential, core, minimal set of teachings that lead to a understanding of Buddhist training. This is my second time reading this book, and will read it again.

[Hache · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

"Think not lightly of good, saying, “It will not come to me.” Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it little by little, fills himself with good"

Este libro le pegaría durísimo a alguien con TOC de moralidad

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read the Dhammapada twice prior, many years before this reading. I most enjoyed this translation.

The Dhammapada is a classic and a masterpiece. It embodies profound wisdom and superb language usage. Captivating is the employment of images. The Dhammapada is worth reading for its literary excellence, but it offers so much more.

I compare the Dhammapada, in its style and genre, to the Proverbs, or מִשְלֵי, Mīšlē, in the Hebrew Bible and Christian Scriptures. These writings are timeless, practical, and fit to be read over and over. After this reading was completed, I decided to continue reading at least a chapter of the Dhammapada daily. I find its guidance inspiring and instructive, a good part of a daily spiritual diet.

Finally, the Dhammapada, like wisdom writings generally, speaks beyond the borders of the spiritual path from which it arose. Hence, the Dhammapada, like the above-mentioned book from the Jewish and Christian paths, offers wise guidance for anyone who wishes to live a sane and virtuous life, which means a truly human one.

To sit before the Dhammapada is like sitting before a sage. One is wise to listen, learn, and live what is heard there.

[krishna prasad · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written book and advise

Good introduction to Buddhism for people with limted understanding of principals.practical to apply daily life in busy world.sil
Maple English translation

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will probably be a part of my life forever. While not every verse felt profound and meaningful to me at the moment, I can tell there is meaning waiting to be found at some point.

One thing about the teachings of the Buddha that really stand out to me, is the fact that everything is applicable to every day life no matter where you are, where you came from, or who/what you believe in. There really is something for everyone here, and I can’t wait to keep coming back whenever I need to be grounded.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

So full of wisdom in brief and pithy sentences.