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Dhammapada (Classics of World Spirituality)

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Dhammapada is a collection of early sayings in Sanskrit from the Buddha translated by Thomas Byrom. The founder of the Buddhist religion and a prince who abdicated his crown in Northern India to live the life as an ascetic, Buddha (563-483 B.C.) left his teachings in the form of oral discourses. These were in turn passed down through generations by means of oral transmission. Because of this attribute many such teachings (now known as Sutras) are metered as repetitive poems made easy for oral recitation.
Dhammapada differs from other Sutras in that it ventures little into the metaphysical nature of reality or life. Instead, it is a simple treatise that reminds us about the many virtues of life that we should practice daily. Thus, lessons about "living purely" (104), "blissful awakening" (78), "[letting] go of anger... [and] pride" (59), "living in honesty and strength" (88), "living in love" (100), and many others abound throughout the text. It contains a treasure of aphorisms that will make the reader stop, think over, and radically confront the truths held therein. Because of its positive affirmation of life and all its virtues, it is an uplifting Sutra that purifies the heart and enlightens the mind.
The English translation rendered by Byrom is exceptional in that it captures the poetic eloquence and fluidity of the original text with its own metered tempo. As presented, the translation is a masterpiece in its own right, with the translator juggling with words that take the reader to dizzying heights of poetic contemplation. Byrom's masterful choice of words strikes a deep resonance with this reader. When further weighed with Buddha's teachings in the background, this small text unfolds as a jewel of mystic and enlightened literature that stands second to none.
Although the text teaches mainly the practice of the virtues in our daily lives, it does not lose sight of the ultimate aspiration for all of us, namely liberation or nirvana. Thus by meditating on love, purifying the heart, and freeing the mind from "passion, enmity, folly" (6), "from desire and sorrow" (27), "from attachment and appetite" (26), it teaches that we will at last reach "freedom without bounds" (27).
A few of my all-time favorites include:

In this world
Hate never yet dispelled hate.
Only love dispels hate,
This is the law,
Ancient and inexhaustible (2).

and

However young,
The seeker who sets out upon the way
Shines bright over the world (102) .

... day and night
The man who is awake
Shines in the radiance of the spirit (104).

Meditate.
Live purely.
Be quiet.
Do your work, with mastery (104).

Like the moon,
Come out from behind the clouds!
Shine (102).
(my own arrangement of sequence)

This heartening sutra can be read thousands of time and yet with each reading it will still remain fresh as something new arouses the mind.

The Dhammapada is one of the most popular and accessible books in all of Buddhist literature. In it are the words of Shakyamuni Buddha, which teach that all suffering stems from desire and that the way to attain freedom is to purify the heart and follow the way of truth. This version is rendered by Thomas Byron. His style uniquely captures the Buddha's teachings with both simplicity and lyricism.

The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings of Buddha in verse form that is one of the few (perhaps only) scriptures that is studied by all forms of Buddhism. This Shambhala Pocket Classic edition is a free translation by Thomas Byrom. It's certainly not a literal translation, as a glance at one of the more academic translations (like that of Radnakrishnan) will tell you, but it remains faithful to the Pali original. The handy pocket size makes the Buddha's wisdom applicable at all times.

Only caveat: Ram Dass's introduction is a little loopy and over-the-top, but you have to admire his fanaticism.

These basic and sacred Buddhist teachings will take you far, very far if you just read slowly. Read it when you are sad, lonely, when you are anxious, bored, or annoyed. It will calm you and it will center you, and take you back to your perfect self.

Actual content aside, this version of the Dhammapada is sturdy and doesn't feel "cheap." The pages are nice and thick, the cover is beautiful without being loud or overly interesting, and the small size make it convenient to carry in whatever pocket you have to spare.

I've taken this all over the place; London, Vienna, San Francisco...it's been thrown around inside of my luggage, twisted, dropped, and subjected to a number of other things that happen to a book which I carry on my person often. The binding has held through all of this, and it looks as good as the day I got it (okay, it looks a little bit weathered, but that adds character...and it's no surprise when you consider what I've put this little gem through).

This is the best version I own, translation-wise, construction-wise, and size-wise. And it's cheap!

-Dave

This book fully embodies Eastern thought at it's finest. I bought the pocket version, and now carry it with me everywhere. I feel that most of the teachings of this ancient book are still relevant today. This would be great for people who need a breathe of fresh air, or a new outlook on life. Just reading this book makes ones mind tranquil and serine. The guidlines laid out for everyday life in this book are paramount and would help anyone live to their fullest.

I do not know how this stands as a accurate translation but the way the the text works on you is profound. It's poetic, not coldly athiestic as buddhism sometimes can be presented. This is a book I would actually buy and give to other people.

I think I found this book in WaldenBooks when I was in ninth grade.When the others in my age group were more interested in parties and clothes I was more interested in finding Divine Truth and that is what this book was to me.An awakening and an awareness of many things I had never before understood.The words of Buddha are poetic and truthful.Truths that would make this world a place of beauty to live in.If only more people would read this book and genuinely take what is said to heart.

This pocket-sized version of the Buddha's core teachings and sayings was in my purse for almost ten years when I lived in Manhattan. I read it on the subway, in line at the post office, waiting for the bus, or even stuck in traffic (one spends a lot of time on transportation in NYC.) It isn't just that this book is small, it's that this particular translation is excellent - accessible but true to the original meaning - and without cluttering notes or author thoughts. A random sample - "Believe, meditate, see. Be harmless, be blameless. Awake to the law, and from all sorrow free yourself."

It might be small, but the words and wisdom inside amount to so much. I carry this around in my purse, and when waiting in lines or waiting for a doctor appointment, I flip it open and enjoy the beauty and teachings this book holds.