DHAMMAPADA
A Treasury of Truth

Here are some selections from the collection of Buddha’s sayings known as the Dhammapada (Path of truth).

(The numbers refer to the chapters to which the quotations belong.)

1. Mind precedes all mental states; they are all mind-made. If a person speaks or acts with a negative mind, suffering follows him like the wheel follows the foot of the ox.

Mind precedes all mental states; they are all mind-made. If a person speaks or acts with a positive mind, happiness follows him like his shadow.

– “He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me.” In those who harbor such thoughts hatred never ceases.

“He abused me, he struck me, he overpowered me, he robbed me.” In those who do not harbor such grudges, hatred eventually ceases.

– In this world, hatred is never appeased by hatred, but by not hating.

– Do not look at the faults of others, or what others have done or not done; observe what you yourself have done or not done.

– Even if one talks a lot about what is beneficial, if one does not put it into practice, one is

negligent, like a herder counting the livestock of others. Such a person has no spiritual attainment.

4. Like a beautiful flower that is colourful but has no fragrance, even well-spoken words bear no fruit in one who does not put them into practice.

– Like a beautiful flower that is both colourful and also fragrant, well-spoken words bear fruit in one who puts them into practice.

– Just as many kinds of garlands can be made from a heap of flowers, so also much good can be done by any of us.

– Do not find fault with others. Do not worry about what others do or not do. Rather, look within yourself to find out what you yourself have done or left undone. 

5. “I have sons, I have wealth”—is a foolish way to think. Even one’s self is not one’s own; how can then sons, or wealth truly belong to us?

– Foolish people act as enemies to themselves, doing things that have painful results.

– That deed is well done that is not followed by regret, whose consequences are attended by joy and happiness.

6. As a rock does not shake in the wind, the wise are not moved by censure or praise.

8. A single meaningful saying, on hearing which one becomes calm, is better than a thousand words making up meaningless statements.

9. Never hesitate to do good. Good actions bring happiness all around.

12. Let no one neglect one’s own good for the sake of another, however great.

13. He, who having been heedless is heedless no more, illuminates this world like the moon free from clouds.

17. The person who is capable of curbing sudden anger is like the expert charioteer who restrains a chariot rushing out of control. That person is a true charioteer. Others only hold the reins.

18. Other’s faults are easy to see, yet it is hard to see one’s own.

We tend to point out other people’s faults, while hiding our own like the bird-hunter who conceals himself with leaves and twigs.

19. One is not wise because one speaks much. He who is peaceful, friendly, and fearless is the wise one.

20.  All conditioned things are impermanent. When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.

25. There is no meditative concentration for one who lacks insight, and no insight for one who lacks meditative concentration.
The one in whom there is both insight and meditative concentration is close to Nirvana—to release from all bonds.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Here, we have the chance to eavesdrop on Buddha’s talks. According to tradition, the bits of wisdom collected here come from different conversations, held on different occasions.

Here are two that relate directly to our practice here. They are the last two in this collection:

25. There is no meditative concentration for one who lacks insight, and no insight for one who lacks meditative concentration.

The one in whom there is both insight and meditative concentration is close to release from all bonds.

Ideally, a meditation session is introduced with a talk, and followed by a period of discussion. This is also our custom here. ‘If one could become wise just by long periods of sitting, every frog would already be awakened’ says a Zen dictum. The significance of this dictum is that meditation and wisdom go hand in hand; in fact, meditation is the practice of wisdom. The saying quoted above makes the same point.

When we want to go someplace, we follow directions. We do not ‘just go’. The same is true of meditation. The prescription, ‘Just Sit’ works within a certain wisdom culture that is built through talks, reading, chanting, and discussion. It does not work for beginners.