The Dhammapada is one of the best known and best loved Buddhist texts, a sequence of verses traditionally said to have been spoken by the Buddha himself to help people on the path to liberation. In her version for Penguin Classics, Valerie J Roebuck seeks to translate the Pali into modern English verse that will keep the beauty and clarity of the original.
Visarad Srima Ratnayaka sings the Dhammapada
Posted on: September 10th, 2010 by admin 6 Comments
Sept10
Forty-six verses from the Dhammapada, sung by Visarad (Visharad, Visharada) Srima Ratnayaka, who has made these verses available for free distribution.
Thank *you*. It’s such an honour to hear from you! I love to listen to your chanting of Dhammapada verses, and your beautiful versions of blessing chants such as the Navagunagatha. I hope that people who enjoy the videos here will seek out your recordings on the internet.
Many thanks for all your wonderful renderings of the Dhammapada verses and Gathas: your lovely voice brings peace and calm and may you always be happy and free from all suffering. Sarva Mangalam.
This is what to do if you know what is best for you
And seek to attain the place of peace:
Be able, upright—truly upright,
Easy to speak to, gentle, not arrogant,
Content, with needs easily met,
With few responsibilities, of simple livelihood,
With senses calmed, skilful,
Not proud, not possessive about families.
You should not do the slightest thing
For which other wise folk might reproach you.
Think: ‘Happy and at peace,
May all beings be happy-minded.
‘Whatever living things there are,
Without exception, weak or strong,
Tall, large, or medium-sized,
Small, atom-sized or huge,
‘Seen or unseen,
Living far or near,
Born or about to be born,
May all beings be happy-minded.
‘Let not one deceive another
Or despise another, anywhere;
Let not one wish evil on another,
Through anger or ill-will.’
Just as a mother would protect her own child,
Her only child, even with her life,
You should develop a limitless mind
Towards all beings.
You should develop a limitless mind,
Spread loving kindness to the whole world,
Above, below and across,
Without obstruction, enmity or hatred.
Standing, walking, sitting,
Or lying down, so long as you are awake,
You should maintain this awareness:
They call this Divine Abiding here.
So, not falling into wrong view,
Of good character, endowed with insight,
Giving up grasping for sense-pleasures,
You will not return to a womb again.
may you attain nibbana
Thank you. And thank you especially for reminding me what it’s all for!
Many thanks for sharing my Hymns with others!
Thank *you*. It’s such an honour to hear from you! I love to listen to your chanting of Dhammapada verses, and your beautiful versions of blessing chants such as the Navagunagatha. I hope that people who enjoy the videos here will seek out your recordings on the internet.
Many thanks for all your wonderful renderings of the Dhammapada verses and Gathas: your lovely voice brings peace and calm and may you always be happy and free from all suffering. Sarva Mangalam.
Thank you for your comment. Visarad Srima Ratnayaka’s renderings are indeed truly inspiring.