The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations

by Gil Fronsdal

A translation by a Buddhist scholar and Insight Meditation teacher, of the Dhammapada, an early Buddhist poetic scripture. The author presents a readable rendition for Westerners while seeking fidelity to the original Pali, the language of early Buddhism in India.

Genres: Buddhism

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2005

About the author

Gil Fronsdal is the guiding teacher of the Insight Meditation Center (IMC) of Redwood City. He has a PhD in Buddhist Studies from Stanford University. His many dharma talks available online contain basic information on meditation and Buddhism, as well as subtle concepts of Buddhism explained at the level of the lay person.

Reviews

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb translation of the Pali Dhammapada. Fronsdal seeks, successfully, to render so to support the text in communicating the ideals of early Buddhism to present-day readers. He avoids a literalistic, word-for-word rendering, focusing on the priority of a thought-for-thought without slipping into the paraphrastic.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read like 20 translations. This may be my fave. Highly recommended. A guide for life.

[Wendy Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow, this took a lot of work for the translator! I did not do it justice, as I read quickly. But if I wanted to study and embrace Buddhism, this would be the first book I return to. This book is made up of poems that teach the value of living without striving, without pride, without jealousy, anger, or contempt. Basically, how to be a good, balanced, kind person in a world that often is neither good, balanced, or compassionate. Teachings from the Buddha can bring peace, as I found in a small way just from a quick read of these poems.