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The Dhammapada: the Path of Perfection

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The Dhammapada: The Path of Perfection

The Dhammapada, comes from the “Pali word Dhamma and the Pali and Sanskrit word, Pada (9). Dhamma corresponds to the Sanskrit Dharma, the first word of the Bhagavad Gita when the field of Dharma, the field of Truth, is mentioned” (Mascaro 9). The word Dhamma carries the meaning ‘to support, to remain’ and thus of “law, a moral law, a spiritual law of righteousness, and the eternal law of the Universal, Truth” and in Christianity, it corresponds to “the will of God” (Mascaro 9). The word Pada, means “foot, step, and thence has the meaning of a path” (Mascaro 9). Juan Mascaro writes, “Thus Dhammapada suggests the Path of Dhamma, the right path of life in which we make with our own footsteps, our own actions, and which leads us to the supreme Truth” (9). The Dhammapada, represents the path of Truth, the path of love, the path of light, the path of life, and the path of Nirvana or in Christian terms the path of God (9). The Dhammapada, to me represents verses that can be used as a guide for life. These could help build and teach morals and help create a foundation for a person’s individual life. Such topics as, contrary ways, the mind, the fool, good and evil, joy, forsake anger, and craving can help guide an individual through life. I do understand that these verses encompass the struggles towards Nirvana, which is the supreme goal for the Buddhist, and point out the narrow Path of Perfection that leads to it. These verses are probably mainly used by monks, but I see many other uses. Other religious groups, Christians, and individuals who are questioning their life path could benefit and apply some of these verses in their life. Such verses as, “But those who know the Real is, and know the unreal is not, they shall indeed reach the Truth, safe on the path of right thought” I could apply to my life (Mascaro 36). Other verses include, “A father or a mother, or a relative, can indeed do good to a man; but his own right-directed mind can do to him a far greater good” (Mascaro 41). As I read these verses, I tried to reflect on my own life. I hope to be able to use this book as a guide when problems arise. This book made me think about the views I have on my life and the perception I have on life in general. I hope to share these verses with different individuals so that they can see a difference perspective on their lives like I have on mine.

Work Cited
The Dhammapada: The Path of Perfection. Trans. Jaun Mascaro. (Penguin Classics). Penguin Classics, 1973. Print.

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