The Dhammapada is a versified Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha himself.
The Dhammapada consists of 423 verses in Pali utte...
read full description
reviews
Jan 01, 2012
Benito
rated it: 
This is the Gideons Bible of Japan - it's in every hotel room drawer - Thailand also I hear. It's a good introduction to Siddharta's sutras, and has some of the great similes and tales that Buddhist writings are famous for, but it's very much a traditional Japanese Buddhist reading and some of the more 'religious' stuff in the later chapters contains many of the things that more liberal Buddhism eschews, i.e. concepts of Hell, sin and deification. However, as with all of Buddha's writings, it'
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jun 27, 2007
Greg
rated it: 
I really appreciate the accuracy of S. Radhakrishnan's translations. His translation of the Upanishads is excellent as is his translation of the Gita. This particular volume is an excellent rendition of the Dhammapada. As a philosopher, he wrote a lengthy introduction to the doctrines of Therevada Buddhism. He also deals with some of the problems related to the historical Buddha.
This volume also provides not just an accurate translation, but also the transliterated Pali text. More...
This volume also provides not just an accurate translation, but also the transliterated Pali text. More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2009
Very reflective and wholesome moral truths for living, quite a fresh read in the world of inconsequential candy reads. While one might not agree with every Buddhist principle for living, as I myself don't, the general truths that you pick up and contemplate throughout the day are hard to escape. Easy and quick, yet full of substance and worthy of review time and again.
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jul 07, 2008
Mindy
rated it:
I chose this version of The Dhammapada b/c of the excellent reviews Glenn Wallis' translation and exegesis received. I was not disappointed. This is an excellent introduction to Buddhist scripture!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 27, 2010
Angie
rated it:
After some anonymous person on the internet tried to school me on what "karma" is, and ended up telling me "sorry for your ignorance, go read a book," I realized that I hadn't read The Dhammapada this year.
I purposefully sought out a different translation than the one I own a copy of, and found a translation by "various Oriental scholars" edited by F. Max Muller. I still prefer the Byrom translation, although there are things in this translation that rea More...
I purposefully sought out a different translation than the one I own a copy of, and found a translation by "various Oriental scholars" edited by F. Max Muller. I still prefer the Byrom translation, although there are things in this translation that rea More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 11, 2009
Coyle
rated it:
Interesting to read from a Christian/Western perspective. As an amateur reading his first Buddhist text, this is fairly interesting. I've heard it said that Eastern thought is basically asking the same questions that pre-Socratic Greek thinkers were asking, but is lacking a Plato or a Christ to give answers to those questions. I didn't see anything in this text that disproved that claim, but this is also pretty short and only representative of one Eastern tradition.
These seem to be More...
These seem to be More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 09, 2011
Arun
rated it:
There are books to be read and books to be comprehended. The second class is like learning to ride a bike : you climb on it to fall down & you keep repeating the gesture until at least shakily you can move forth a few feet unaided. What is contained in this book while at a first read is absurdly simple in its spartan-ness is a very difficult set of guidelines to live with.
The inspiration to know more about the Buddha was an unlikely source, a little trinket I bought. It was a resembl More...
The inspiration to know more about the Buddha was an unlikely source, a little trinket I bought. It was a resembl More...
Feb 04, 2012
Jesse
rated it:
This edition of the Dhammapada contains a lot of extra information, the Dhammapada verses take up less than a third of the book. It contains an 86 page introduction by Eknath Easwaran which provides interesting background information to Buddhism. There are also chapter introductions by Stephen Ruppenthal for each chapter, or a pair of two chapters, which has insightful information for understanding the verses. This was an easy to read and inspiring introduction to Buddhism and the Dhammapada.
More...
More...
Jan 12, 2011
Jesse
rated it:
Buddhism is a religion that contains such rational precepts that Westerners unthinkingly assert it to be more a philosophy than a religion. This is, of course, false, not only because there have been hundreds of irrational rites attached to the creed but mainly because it speaks of immortality - we would not have religion if we were immortals, and so once something speaks certainly of life after death, it instantly meets the one criterion for a religious worldview. Remember, Plato is a philosoph
More...
Aug 14, 2011
Roumissette
rated it:
Definitely a must to read - the translation is really pure, and the message of the Buddha feels very powerful and inspiring, and still applicable to today's world. I really appreciate this book, and find a lot of inspiration from reading a chapter or even a certain passage.
I really like this book because it talks a lot about mastering oneself - but one thing against it is that though it gives what is and what is not spiritual, it does not tell me how to accomplish this mastery that i More...
I really like this book because it talks a lot about mastering oneself - but one thing against it is that though it gives what is and what is not spiritual, it does not tell me how to accomplish this mastery that i More...
Jan 19, 2010
So I'd never read any Buddhist texts before, and within the 40 or however many volumes of the standard Pali Canon (Thai edition), the Dhammapada seems to be the most popular starting point. It's attributed to the Buddha himself, which makes it more interesting as a (supposedly) primary text. And there are some really thoughtful metaphors in here. But on the whole, it just seems like a rather wishy-washy set of moral aphorisms along the lnes of "be good. Come on now, be good." Noth
More...
Dec 07, 2011
Craig
rated it: 
Mr. Easwaran's translation credentials are impeccable (he's done acclaimed versions of the Upanishads and the Gita), so I ventured into his book with high expectations. It starts off with an 85 page introduction and is padded throughout with commentary. (Except for the introduction, all commentary is from the pen of Stephen Ruppenthal, who according to selfgrowth.com is an expert in the fields of Chinese and Sanskrit Buddhism.) I certainly have no problem with commentary, provided of course it's
More...
Nov 10, 2011
Eny
rated it:
Сэтгэл тавьгүй ч юмуу уншмаар санагдсан үедээ байнга хардаг ном
3 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 10, 2011
Marilyn
rated it: 
Very similar to the Judeo-Christian Bible, but more peaceful
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 25, 2011
Collin
rated it:
Life is suffering. The suffering is of your own making. You can overcome your suffering. You overcome your suffering by following the middle path.
Seems simple enough, sure, but I struggle with treacly nonsense like Emotional Intelligence, so there is no way I'll ever be able to actually apply any of this to myself.
Fortunately, it appears that I'll have many attempts to try.
The fact that my review of the Dhammapada ended with a bad joke and an implied snare dr More...
Seems simple enough, sure, but I struggle with treacly nonsense like Emotional Intelligence, so there is no way I'll ever be able to actually apply any of this to myself.
Fortunately, it appears that I'll have many attempts to try.
The fact that my review of the Dhammapada ended with a bad joke and an implied snare dr More...
Dec 09, 2007
Karey
rated it:
There is always room for compassion.
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 26, 2012
Jake
rated it:
This translation of the Dhammapada is wonderfully lyrical and easy to read. I've found that sometimes reading English language Buddhist books can become a little routine- many are long on exegesis and short on poetry or memorable stories. A nice antidote is to switch up your reading by finding direct translations of important Buddhist sources. The problem, of course, is that the quality of translations varies widely, and a bad translation with no explanation can be difficult to read. That is
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 23, 2012
Steve
rated it:
This is a pretty straightforward classic Buddhist text, perhaps similar to the Tao Te Ching for Taoism. If you know nothing of Buddhism, the verses may seem a bit esoteric for an intitial introduction, but if you pay attention to the continually repeating themes, you will easily get the meaning. If familiar with Buddhism, you probably won't get much new from the text, apart from an interesting quote here or there to put your existing knowledge into new perspective.
It is what it is: o More...
It is what it is: o More...
Nov 18, 2010
Janie Cakes
rated it:
This is a book filled with Buddhist quotes, and only quotes. These quotes are meant to inspire, and to teach a person morals. Some of these quotes were religiously biased, and some quotes were too repetitive. Pretty much, you'd have the same quote for a whole page, or up to 2 pages
i.e.
"'He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me' -- in those who harbor such thoughts hatred will never cease."
"'He abused me, he beat me, he de More...
i.e.
"'He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me' -- in those who harbor such thoughts hatred will never cease."
"'He abused me, he beat me, he de More...
2 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 06, 2010
Marla
rated it:
This 2500 year old text is essential reading in Buddhism. I've gone to it many times over the years and always come away with something new ("a tamed mind brings happiness"). Claimed to be the actual utterances of Buddha as he illuminates for his followers the nature of self, the value of relationships, the suffering that attends attachment, aging, the destruction of anger...any human conflict you can think of. Told in verse form, so you can open it and read anywhere in the book. This
More...
Jan 11, 2010
Jake
rated it:
I am giving this book three stars because, if I have learned anything by reading it, it is that giving a rating of either 5 stars or 1 would be too extreme and passionate.
Okay, had to get that tacky wisecrack out of the way. Now, previously I have read The Holy Bible, The Koran, and The Book of Mormon, among religious texts I would classify as major. For some time, I've wanted to read Buddhist scripture as well.
My major response is that I felt healthier for having read More...
Okay, had to get that tacky wisecrack out of the way. Now, previously I have read The Holy Bible, The Koran, and The Book of Mormon, among religious texts I would classify as major. For some time, I've wanted to read Buddhist scripture as well.
My major response is that I felt healthier for having read More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 28, 2009
Angie
rated it:
"We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world."
I had not heard of the Dhammapada until my friend Legdup pulled out a worn copy from the inside of his wallet. "It's always with me," he said.
I fell in love with that particular translation, because others seem clunky. "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" More...
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world."
I had not heard of the Dhammapada until my friend Legdup pulled out a worn copy from the inside of his wallet. "It's always with me," he said.
I fell in love with that particular translation, because others seem clunky. "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" More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 04, 2008
Warun
rated it:
this was a spiritually fulfilling book.it helped me understand the life of the Buddha and the reasoning behind his actions and spiritual life decisions.Siddhartha is the son of a Brahmin's sun who ventures of because he wanted to live the life of samana who are wondering monks who live their life with our possessions and try to find eternal peace.he romeos the earth and ends up running into this man they called the Buddha ,which means enlightened one .he has lived for centuries and will finall
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 28, 2009
Bob
rated it:
As a rule, I don't read the world's holy books cover to cover. But The Dhammapada tasted so good that once I started, I couldn't stop.
From the book description:
"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 s
From the book description:
"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 s
Mar 13, 2011
Dwhitehead
rated it:
Highly recommended for a library of religious texts. The translation is great - true, it's the only one I've looked at to date, but it is a very poetic read. The commentary and explanation before each chapter really helps digest the material. Finally, the introduction puts the text into context with historical background, including a brief narrative of Buddha's life. It is clearly written for a reader raised in Judeo-Christian tradition. A must read for the curious.
May 12, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
This book serves as an excellent introduction to Buddhism for the casual reader. Clear and easy to understand, Wallis's translation of the Dhammapada lays out the principles of detachment and restraint plainly and in elegant metaphors.
This translation is more suited to instruction than to aesthetic enjoyment, as it focuses on accuracy rather than poetry - a decision every translator must make. As a result, the language is clunky at times. The teachings are the point, not poetry.
More...
This translation is more suited to instruction than to aesthetic enjoyment, as it focuses on accuracy rather than poetry - a decision every translator must make. As a result, the language is clunky at times. The teachings are the point, not poetry.
More...
Nov 08, 2010
Phillip
rated it:
The Dhammapada is the most widely read Buddhist scripture. It is a collection of short teachings on a wide range of subjects from old age to the meaning of path. It emphasizes both the practical aspects of Buddhism, such as happiness in this life, and the liberation aspect (i.e., absolute freedom). Fronsdal’s language is clear and reflects his background as a Buddhist scholar.
Nov 10, 2011
Krillia
rated it:
I've been interested in Buddhism for a long time, and figured that, eventually, at least one translated version of his teachings would end up a permanent resident in my book collection (several have been temporary visitors from my local library)
I actually bought this book while at Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan (the one with the famous "big Buddha"). I've been studying Japanese for a little over three years now, but haven't been learning very much, much to my disappointment. More...
I actually bought this book while at Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan (the one with the famous "big Buddha"). I've been studying Japanese for a little over three years now, but haven't been learning very much, much to my disappointment. More...
