The Dhammapada (Arkana S.) - Softcover

Eknath Easwaran,Stephen Ruppenthal

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140190147 ISBN 13: 9780140190144

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd, 1988

Synopsis

The Dhammapada (Pali; Dhamapada; Sanskrit Dharmapada) is a versified Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha himself. It is one of the best-known texts from the Theravada canon. The title, Dhammapada, is a compound term composed of dhamma and pada, each word having a number of denotations and connotations. Generally, dhamma can refer to the Buddha's "doctrine" or an "eternal truth" or "righteousness" or all "phenomena"; and, at its root, pada means "foot" and thus by extension, especially in this context, means either "path" or "verse" (cf. "foot (prosody)") or both. English translations of this text's title have used various combinations of these and related words.

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Review

According to Eknath Easwaran, if all of the Buddhist sutras had been lost except the Dhammapada, it alone would be enough for readers to understand and appreciate the wisdom of the Buddha. Easwaran's version of the Dhammapada goes a long way toward proving this. In a lengthy introduction, Easwaran summarizes the life of the Buddha and the main tenets of his thought, including key concepts such as dharma, karma, and nirvana. The language of the Dhammapada is as lucid and flowing as the Psalms or the Sermon on the Mount, and this is why it is one of the most loved and remembered of all Buddhist sutras. Its subject matter, succinctly, is about training the mind, which leads to kind thoughts and deeds, which bring peace and freedom from suffering. If you are interested in reading one of the gems of Buddhist literature, this is a good place to start; and if you are looking for a great version of this beloved scripture, you can't do better. Like all great world scripture, the verses here reward rereading and reflection, prompting you to "strive for wisdom always." --Brian Bruya

From the Publisher

The Buddha spoke to people of all classes and professions, using vivid metaphors which are just as illuminating today as they were when he first spoke them 2,500 years ago. The Dhammapada is one of the most representative collections of these teachings. Its short, lucid verses contain some of the Buddha's most immediate and approachable instructions on how to meditate and lead a more compassionate and fulfilling life.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• Publication date: 1988
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0140190147
• ISBN 13: 9780140190144
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208