The Dhammapada [Paperback]

Guatama Buddha (Author), Irving Babbit (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1965

"Here are the words of the Buddha himself, setting forth his core beliefs. This books leads us to the spiritual path to the supreme Truth. Here is the guide to the Nirvana. This books is the most important document of the Buddhism religion. Experience all 423 verses of the Buddha and discover the essence of enlightenment."

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation (December 1965)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811200043
• ISBN-13: 978-0811200042
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,203 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great place to start learning about Buddhism, June 11, 2000

By 

California Gal (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dhammapada (Paperback)

The Dhammapada is basically about personal ethics. It states very concisely a viewpoint and a philosophy that can be applied right now just as well as in Buddha's time.

I have owned this book for decades. I like it very much because it's a thin little book that I was able to read in a short time --but the ideas in it have taken root and have grown in my mind over a period of many years.

This book "spoke to my condition" as the Quakers say. I knew he was talking to me.

This short book contains some powerful concepts that have stood the test of 2500 years.

The translation is very good, and I believe it is true to the spirit of the original.

For those interested in personal ethics, personal responsibility, or a concise introduction to some of Buddha's philosophy, this book is a great place to start, and may acquire a permanent home on your bookshelf for its directness and simplicity.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars There are many better translations..., February 15, 2005

By 

Branden Byers (Madison, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dhammapada (Paperback)

This book was required reading for my Comparative Religions course in college. I found the teachings of the Dhammapada to be insightful, but the translation was dry and appeared to lack much of Buddha's essence. Out of curiosity, I looked at different translations that were offered online and realized that they were all drastically different and much of the Dhammapada's teachings are changed depending on who has translated the work.

I have found better translations than Irving Babbit's book. Out of all Dhammapada books that I have looked at (I am by no means an expert), I found Eknath Easwaran's translation to be much clearer and true to Buddha's teachings.

Overall, if you are looking for a good translation of the Dhammapada, this is not the book for you.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Babbitt's Dhammapada, November 3, 2006

By 

Mark J. Galik "Captain Nemo" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Dhammapada (Paperback)

Babbitt's translation of the Dhammapada is still luminous and inspiring, but his instroduction, unfortunately, is not only unenlightening about the nature of Buddhism, but is filled with topical references that are now hopelessly dated. I highly recommend Babbitt's translation of this key Buddhist text, but I would advise the reader to skip the introduction and read a more comprehensive history of Buddhism by a recognized authority such as Max Muller, T. W. Rhys Davids, Daisetz Suzuki or Christmas Humphries.