The Dhammapada is a revered Buddhist scripture that is part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism, containing 423 verses that encapsulate the Buddha’s teachings on ethics, mindfulness and liberation. It is a treasure trove of wisdom, distilling complex Buddhist principles into concise, poetic verses. Here is a translation of some impactful verses from the Dhammapada reflecting key themes.
- Mind Precedes All: “Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought.” (The first verse highlights the central role of the mind)
- Hatred Ceases Through Love: “Hatred does not cease through hatred. Hatred ceases through love. This is an eternal law.”
- All Conditioned Things Are Impermanent: “All conditioned things are impermanent.”
- Conquering Oneself: “The one who has conquered himself is greater than one who has conquered a thousand men in battle.”
- Virtue’s Fragrance: “Of all the fragrances—sandal, tagara, blue lotus and jasmine—the fragrance of virtue is by far the sweetest.”
- Heedfulness: “Heedfulness is the path to the Deathless; heedlessness, the path to death.”
- Thoughts Shape Reality: “All that we are is the result of what we have thought.”
- Avoid Evil, Cultivate Good: “To avoid all evil, to cultivate good, and to cleanse one’s own mind—this is the teaching of the Buddhas.”
- Bondage of Cravings: “Beset by craving, people run about like an entrapped hare.”
- Taming the Mind: “A tamed mind brings happiness.”
- Let Go: “Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross over to the farther shore of existence.”
- Self-Conquest: “Self-conquest is far better than the conquest of others.”
- Mindfulness and Wisdom: “There is no meditative concentration for one who lacks wisdom, and no wisdom for one who lacks meditative concentration.”
- Purity of Action: “If a man speaks or acts with a pure mind, happiness follows him.”
- Drop by Drop: “Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise one, gathering it little by little, fills oneself with good.”
These verses offer insights into mindfulness, ethics, overcoming negative patterns like craving and hatred, and cultivating inner peace and wisdom.
Visit Buddhanet.net for the full text of the Dhammapada.
A set of four postage stamps issued by Shri Lanka in 1993 to commemorate Vesak, the country’s most sacred Buddhist festival celebrating the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. Each stamp illustrates a specific Buddhist narrative or principle. Shri Lanka has a long-standing tradition of issuing Vesak stamps annually, reflecting the deep cultural and religious significance of Buddhism in the country. Shri Lankan stamps, including these Vesak issues, often feature details in three languages: Sinhala, Tamil and English, showcasing the country’s diverse linguistic heritage.