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.

Archive for July, 2013

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)

Like a beautiful flower…

Posted on: July 10th, 2013 by admin No Comments

July10

Red Rose
 

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.

Dhammapada 51-52

Today, walking to the shops on a hot sunny morning, I saw a beautiful rose-bush in a garden. The owner of the garden saw me enjoying the scent, and we both agreed that we liked the old, sweet-scented varieties of roses the best. And those verses from the ‘Flowers’ chapter of the Dhammapada came to mind.
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