Ancient words of the Buddha
("awakened one") that can
become a companion for your
own spiritual journey.
The Dhammapada ("Path of the Buddha's Teachings") is a
daily inspiration for millions of Buddhists all over the world
and for people of all spiritual traditions who have been
impressed by its beauty and power. These words—believed
to have been spoken by the Buddha himself over 2,500 years
ago—contain most of Buddhism's central teachings.
Originally composed in the ancient
language of Pali, this timeless text concisely and
inspirationally portrays the route a person travels as he or
she advances toward enlightenment. With poetic sequence and
rhythm, the Dhammapada describes the fundamental role of mental
conditioning in making us who we are. It paints contrasting
portraits of three levels of our human existence—the
fool, the wise one, and the enlightened one—and addresses
specific aspects of experience, conduct, and belief that
characterize our transformation from one of these modes of
being to another.
Now you can experience the Dhammapada with
understanding even if you have no previous knowledge of
Buddhism. This SkyLight Illuminations edition offers insightful
yet unobtrusive commentary that explains references and
philosophical terms, shares the inspiring interpretations of
famous spiritual teachers, and gives you deeper insight into
the text.
Words of the Buddha from the Dhammapada:
"All that we are is the result of
what we have thought. It is founded on our thoughts. It is made
up of our thoughts. If one speaks or acts with a pure thought,
happiness follows one, like a shadow that never leaves."
"Let us overcome anger by love, let
us overcome evil by good, let us overcome the greedy by
generosity, the liar by truth!"
"Better than gaining sovereignty over
Earth, better than ascending to the highest heaven, better than
holding lordship over all the worlds, is the reward of the
first step taken on the true way."
“The pith of Buddha’s
teachings are herein wondrously and excellently
presented.”
—Joan
Halifax Roshi, Head Teacher,
Upaya Zen Center
“Provides access to the wisdom of
the text in a way that invites further exploration of
one’s own transformation.”
—Kay Lindahl, founder of The
Listening Center and author of The
Sacred Art of Listening: Forty Reflections for Cultivating a
Spiritual Practice
“The words of the Buddha become
fresh and alive in this wonderful edition. Wisdom shines
through, ready for application in daily life.”
—Ani
Konchog Drolma, head of monastic
training at Gampo Abbey
“A friendly introduction to a sacred
text at the heart of Buddhist teaching.”
—Marcia Z. Nelson, author of
Come and Sit: A Week Inside
Meditation Centers
“These verses can be read and
appreciated simply as wise philosophy; as such, they are part
of the great literature of the world. But for those who would
follow it to the end, the Dhammapada is a sure guide to nothing
less than the highest goal life can offer:
self-realization.”
—Eknath Easwaran
“The verses, along with well-placed
guiding annotations, will be inspiring to young people
exploring the Buddhist path.”
—Sumi Loundon, editor of Blue Jean Buddha: Voices of Young Buddhists
Max Muller (1823-1900)
was a professor at Oxford University and a pioneer in the study
of comparative religion. He provided the earliest English
translations of many of the Hindu and Buddhist scriptures.
