Dhammapada 1: Pairs

A reading of the first chapter of the Dhammapada as translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. The Dhammapada is a canonical Buddhist text written in a somewhat poetic style. My plan is to record its 26 chapters, one chapter at a time. Each chapter bears many listens over time, and is somewhat like the Tao Teh Ching, delivering ancient wisdom and inspiring the contemplative life. Listen at the beginning of your own meditation practice, or any time of day as a source of inspiration. Enjoy!

Transcript

One pairs phenomena are preceded by the heart ruled by the heart made of the heart if you speak or act with a corrupted heart then suffering follows you as the wheel of the cart the track of the ox that pulls it phenomena are preceded by the heart ruled by the heart made of the heart if you speak or act with a calm right heart then happiness follows you like a shadow that never leaves he insulted me hit me beat me robbed me for those who brewed on this hostility isn't stilled he insulted me hit me beat me robbed me for those who don't brood on this hostility is stilled hostilities aren't stilled through hostility regardless hostilities are stilled through non-hostility this an unending truth unlike those who don't realize that we're here on the verge of perishing those who do their quarrels are stilled one who stays focused on the beautiful is unrestrained with the senses knowing no moderation in food apathetic unenergetic Mara overcomes him as the wind a weak tree one who stays focused on the foul is restrained with regard to the senses knowing moderation in food full of conviction and energy Mara does not overcome him as the wind a mountain of rock he who depraved devoid of truthfulness and self-control puts on the ochre robe doesn't deserve the ochre robe but he who is free of depravity endowed with truthfulness and self-control well established in the precepts truly deserves the ochre robe those who regard non-essence as essence and see essence as none don't get to the essence ranging about in wrong resolves but those who know essence as essence and non-essence as none get to the essence ranging about in right resolves as rain seeps into an ill thatched hut so passion the undeveloped mind as rain doesn't seep into a well thatched hut so passion does not the well-developed mind here he grieves he grieves hereafter in both worlds the wrongdoer grieves he grieves he's afflicted in both worlds the wrongdoer grieves he grieves he's afflicted seeing the corruption of his deeds here he rejoices he rejoices hereafter in both worlds the merit-maker rejoices he rejoices is jubilant seeing the purity of his deeds here he's tormented he's tormented hereafter in both worlds the wrongdoer is tormented he's tormented at the thought I've done wrong having gone to a bad destination he's tormented all the more here he delights he delights hereafter in both worlds the merit-maker delights he delights at the thought I've made merit having gone to a good destination he delights all the more if he recites many teachings but heedless man doesn't do what they say like a cow herd counting the cattle of others he has no share in the contemplative life if he recites next to nothing but follows the Dhamma in line with the Dhamma abandoning passion aversion delusion alert his mind well released not clinging either here or hereafter he has his share in the contemplative life

Reviews

Thanks for this chapter 1 Mark, will listen again and looking forward to the next chapters. 🙏

What a beautiful teaching. I am listening to it often to fully absorb it, and drink it in. 🙏🏼