Dhammapada an immortal classic

Premasara Epasinghe

Dhammapada, is a book of Wisdom. Its text which sums up the essence of TRIPITAKA or Basket of Religious Texts Dhammapada is sacred to the Buddhists, as the BHAGAVATHGITA to Hindus; as the Holy Bible to Christians, and KORAN to Muslims. Therefore, Dhammapada can be considered as the most important hand book for all Buddhists in the world. Many believe the essence of Buddhism is embodied in the Dhammapada.

The Dhammapada is an anthology, or a collection of poems or pieces of prose on the same subject or by the same writer, editing verses called from Discourses, mainly in the SAMYUTTA and ANGUTTARA Nikayas.

The exact date of compilation of the Dhammapada is not known. We presume, Dhammapada gained its present shape at the Third Buddhist Council held during the 3rd century B.C. Its origin has to be traced back to a period prior to the First Buddhist Council.

The DHAMMAPADA, the “Treasury of Truth”, is the most widely read Buddhist Text throughout the world. Its translations are available in many languages.

The Chinese Translations are based on Pali-Dhammapada and Udanavarga.

They are not form of parts that are all of the same type as known as homogeneous, in character. In some translations, there are more verses that what is found in Pali-Dhammapada or Udanavarga.

The first Buddhist Canonical Text published by a Danish scholar - Victor Fausball in 1855 was Dhammapada. It was translated to many languages and helped many Independent Thinkers in the world to appreciate the value of the Buddha. Dhammapada was translated to Latin in 1855. The world renowned Great Buddhist scholar par-excellence was responsible in Translating Dhammapada into Latin. In 1940, internationally reputed Ven. Narada Thera of Vajiraramya, Bambalapitiya, translated Dhammapada to English.

The Dhammapada and its commentary DHAMMAPADATTA-KATHA, have been a source of influence for the Buddhists in Sri Lanka. A verse or two in Dhammapada is taken as its theme in Germany.

A very common stanze is:


SABBAPAPASSA AKARANAM
KUSALASSA UPASAMPADA
SACITTA PARIYODAPANAM
ETAM BUDDHANU SASANAM

(14:5)
Buddha Vagga
Dhammapada 183 Verse


Refrain from all evil. Cleanse the Mint. This is the teachings of the Buddha’s

They are (1) Yamaka Vagga (Pain), (2) Appamada Vagga (Heedfulness), (3) Chitta Vagga (Mind), (4) Puppha Vagg (The flowers), (5) Bala Vagga (The foot), (6) Panditha Vagga (The wise), (7) Arahanta Vagga (The Archant), (8) Sahassa Vagga (The Thousands), (9) Papa Vagga (Evil), (10) Danda Vagga (Punishment), (11) Jara Vagga (the old age), (12) Atta Vagga (self), (13) Loka Vagga (world), (14) Buddha Vagga (The Enlightened one), (15) Sukha Vagga (Happiness), (16) Piya Vagga (Affection), (17) Kodha Vagga (Anger), (18) Mela Vagga (Impurities), (19) Dhammatta Vagga (Righteousness), (20) Magga Vagga (Path), (21) Pakkinnaka Vagga (Miscellanous), (22) Niraya Vagga (Woeful State), (23) Naga Vagga (Elephant), (24) Tanha Vagga (craving), (25) Bhikku Vagga (The Mendicant), (26) Brahmana Vagga (Brahmana).

Out of these Vaggas Arahanta Vagga and Atta Vagga consists of 10 stanzas respectively, where as in the Brahmana Vagga, there are 41 verses or stanzas.

The sacred contents in Dhammapada have immensely influenced human thought. In short, Dhammapada is among the handful of gems of sacred literature esteemed by all people, irrespective of creed and faith. By reading Dhammapada, one could learn the fundamentals of Buddhism. It help its reader to lead a happy life here and hereafter.

It enables to achieve life’s purpose “SUMMUM BONUM”- the goal supreme. The famous author Albert J. Edmonds, who translated Dhammapada to English states “IF EVER AN IMMORTAL CLASSIC was produced upon the continent of Asia - It is Dhammapada. The first English Translation was by Prof. Max Muller.

There is not a single stanza or verse in Dhammapada that is not useful to a lay reader. By reciting Dhammapada, your life will be mentally enhanced. There are many valuable sayings in it that are be useful to our daily life.

A stanzas in Panditha Vagga (stanza 81) is a story woven round an Arahat, who was short in height. Some novice monks used to cast remarks and harass this monk.

And the monk never showns any resentment. Even in our lives we experience similar situations. Sometimes we are praised. At times we are heavily criticised and blamed. As a wise man what should be your attitude?


SELO YATHA EKAGANO-VATENA NA SAMIRATHI
EVAM NINDAPASANSASU-NA SAMIJJANTU PANDITHA


(As a solid rock that cannot be shaken by the wind, the Wise, are not moved by BLAME or PRAISE.)

In the opening stanza of BALA VAGGA (Fools), how effectively samsara is depicted. The witless who knows not the sublime Teachings of Dhammapada gives a fine example.


DIGHA JACARATO RATTI -DIGAM SANTASSA YOJANA
DIGHA BALANAM SAMSARA-SADDHAMMO AV, JANA


(Long is the night to the sleepless; long is the mile to the tired; long is the Samsara to the witless who knows not the sublime)

Dhammapada is a gold mine of information.


NA BHAJE PAPAKE MITTE
NA BHAJE PURISADHAME
BHAJETHA MITTE KALYANE-
BHAJETHA PURISUTTAME

(Pandita Vagga - 78 verse 7)


This stanza provides food for thought. It is a worthy advise given to all. If you associates less men and women and friends, your future is very bleak. Therefore, associate good, honest, time friends, who will always stand by you in difficulties.

The metaphor is the use of a word or phrase to indicate the literal meaning. Many believe that the essence of Buddhism is embodied in the Dhammapada.