The Dhammapada is one of the most popular and accessible books in all of Buddhist literature. In it are the words of the Buddha, teaching that all suffering stems from desire and that the way to attain freedom is to purify the heart and follow the way of truth. Thomas Byrom's verse rendering of the Dhammapada uniquely captures the Buddha's original teachings with simplicity and lyricism.
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"Thomas Byrom's lean and lovely translation." -- Parabola, Summer 2002
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Text: English (translation)
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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45 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Lena Young
Format:Paperback
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:
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.
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
I absolutely love everything about this book I actually read it every time I need comfort or a little push
Published 16 days ago by Aďka Bois
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
As a volunteer chaplain in Santa Clara County, the inmates request it frequently and it is highly prized. Unfortunately, it appears to be out of print.
Published 4 months ago by Masaru Horiuchi
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dhammapada
Beautiful translation, easily carried in one's pocket...a smart alternative to the smart phone. I recommend the publisher and the contents.
Published 4 months ago by Nancy Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dhammapada (Shambhala Pocket Classics)
Excellent, handy, little book. Perfect. Just what I needed to start my Buddhism-like endeavors. Saw this at a friend's home, and had to get it... Read more
Published 7 months ago by patch
3.0 out of 5 stars
An OK Little Book
I'm not a Buddhist and have no intention of becoming one. I read the Dhammapada out of interest in Buddhism, and I haven't intentionally attempted to put it into practice (outside... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Matt Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential
I have loved this book from the start. Page after page of great wisdom. If you want some profound truth in your life...You have found it!
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Published on January 7, 2010 by W. J. Cosper
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless Treasure
This is an elegant, poetic translation of a timeless treasure. The writing is clear and the prose flows evenly throughout the verses. Read more
Published on September 20, 2009 by Heather
5.0 out of 5 stars
Accessible and Direct Translation of Buddha's Teachings
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. Read more
Published on December 22, 2008 by L. Erickson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dhammapada
I thought this little book was sweet. It was small enough i could read it in one day. It helped show me the importance of serenity and meditation in my daily life. Read more
Published on November 17, 2008 by James N. Sullivan
2.0 out of 5 stars
Unhappy with this translation
I cross referenced this translation with others and stopped using it. I settled on Ananda Maitreyas translationn from Parallax as being a much more satisfactory pocket version... Read more
Published on May 4, 2008 by Mokwit
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