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.

Verses

The Buddha’s Teaching on Loving Kindness

Posted on: May 20th, 2016 by admin No Comments

Karaṇīya Metta Sutta

The Buddha’s Teaching on Loving Kindness

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.

Like a beautiful flower – verses

Posted on: July 11th, 2013 by admin No Comments

Like a beautiful flower,

Colourful but scentless,

The well-taught word is fruitless

For one who does not practise.

Like a beautiful flower,

Colourful and fragrant,

The well-taught word is fruitful

For one who practises.

(vv. 51-2)

Even finely painted royal chariots…

Posted on: November 5th, 2012 by admin No Comments

Even finely painted royal chariots wear out:

Just so the body grows old.

The Dhamma of the good does not grow old.

Indeed, the good make it known to the good.

(v. 151)

What No-one Else Can Do…

Posted on: January 3rd, 2012 by admin No Comments

Whatever an enemy can do to an enemy,

Or a rival to a rival,

A wrongly directed mind

Will do worse to you than that.

What mother or father cannot do,

Or any other kin,

A rightly directed mind

Will do better for you than that.

Dhammapada 42-3

Control Your Mind

Posted on: June 4th, 2011 by admin No Comments

The mind is hard to restrain, light,

Flying where it will.

Control of it is good.

Mind controlled brings happiness.

Mind is most hard to see, most subtle,

Flying where it will.

The wise one should guard it.

Mind guarded brings happiness.

(vv. 35-6)

What All Enlightened Ones Teach

Posted on: June 4th, 2011 by admin No Comments

Not to do any evil;

To undertake what is good;

To purify your own mind:

This is the teaching of the Buddhas.

(v. 183)

People Can Change

Posted on: June 3rd, 2011 by admin No Comments

But whoever was unaware before

And afterwards becomes aware

Illuminates this world

Like the moon freed from a cloud.

Whoever has done an evil deed

But covers it with a virtuous one

Illuminates this world

Like the moon freed from a cloud.

(vv. 172-3)

The Importance of Practice

Posted on: June 3rd, 2011 by admin No Comments

Like a beautiful flower,

Colourful but scentless,

The well-taught word is fruitless

For one who does not practise.

Like a beautiful flower,

Colourful and fragrant,

The well-taught word is fruitful

For one who practises.

(vv. 51-52)