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Dhammapada (Shambhala Pocket Classics) (Paperback)

~ Thomas Byrom (Author) "We are what we think..." (more)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)

Price: $6.95 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
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  Hardcover, June 11, 2001 -- $55.27 $2.60
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Thomas Byrom's lean and lovely translation." -- Parabola, Summer 2002 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.


Product Description

One of the few scriptures studied by students of all sects of Buddhism, the Dhammapada is treasured as a universally accessible summary of the teachings of the Buddha. It presents the Buddhist path of liberation and the lyricism of the Buddha's teachings in an unabridged, miniature edition. Two-color interior.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 113 pages
  • Publisher: Shambhala; First Edition edition (November 9, 1993)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0877739668
  • ISBN-13: 978-0877739661
  • Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 3 x 0.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,167 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #28 in  Books > Religion & Spirituality > Hinduism

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Customer Reviews

22 Reviews
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 (1)
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (22 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Dhammapada: Book Review, February 16, 2004
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.

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42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Eternal Wisdom of Buddha, January 10, 2001
By Wendy Williams (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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.
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent-free translation edition of the Dhammapada, November 18, 2000
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.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

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 1 month ago by Heather Hibbs

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, Lovey Photographs and Excellent Forward
This is a wonderful book with poignant pictures. As time moves on the passages change and evolve with me. The forward by Ram Dass is wonderful and spot on!
Published 4 months ago by Uncle Jerry

5.0 out of 5 stars The one book that I was missing.
This is the book that I was missing. Thomas Byrom has given us in the west a translation that is easy to follow and beautiful all at the same time. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Dan W. Mckay

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 10 months ago by Mommy Mystic

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 11 months ago 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 18 months ago by Mokwit

3.0 out of 5 stars Bad translation, but great Buddhist text
The Dhammapada is one of the Buddhist scriptures that Buddhists can really agree upon. It is not a sutra (or sermon) as such, but contains a wonderful collection of sayings by... Read more
Published on April 13, 2007 by Gerald Ford

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting introduction to Buddhism.
This book is useful to anyone interested in knowing more about Buddhism. Unfortunately Byrom's translation does not seem to me to be the best. Read more
Published on August 14, 2006 by Thomas Martin

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Fantastic, Fantastically Simple
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... Read more
Published on December 1, 2005 by Gorilla

4.0 out of 5 stars the Dhammapada
This particular Dhammapada is very nice to read,
it just flows very comfortabley. There is not alot
of commentary after each sentence, just a short
introduction... Read more
Published on September 3, 2005 by Pen Name

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