Il Dhammapada, o Libro della legge, raccoglie 423 aforismi che, secondo la tradizione, sono stati pronunciati dal Buddha e poi raccolti da un ignoto autore, probabilmente un suo discepolo.
Essi possono considerarsi una sorta di summa del pensiero e della dottrina buddhisti, da utilizzarsi soprattutto nella vita quotidiana per iniziare quel cammino di affrancamento dalle passioni terrene e dagli affanni quotidiani che, una volta compiuto, porta alla liberazione (mukti).
Il Dhammapada costituisce una delle opere più note della fede buddhista, la cui influenza si è estesa ben oltre i confini del buddhismo. * Strofe accoppiate

1

Tutto ciò che siamo è il prodotto della nostra mente,

è basato su di essa e da essa è formato.

Se un uomo parla o agisce con mente corrotta

gliene seguirà sventura, come la ruota segue il piede

(dell’animale che trascina il carro).

2

Tutto ciò che siamo è il prodotto della nostra mente,

è basato su di essa e da essa è formato.

Se un uomo parla o agisce con mente serena,

gliene seguirà felicità,

come l’ombra che lo segue sempre.

3

“Egli mi ha offeso, mi ha percosso,

mi ha vinto, mi ha derubato”.

In coloro nei quali tali pensieri allignano,

l’odio non si placherà mai.  - LEGGI TUTTO … Read the rest of this entry »

the Tibetan Dhammapada, the Udanavarga – compiled by DHARMATRATA

Translated into English from Tibetan by Gareth Sparham with guidance from Lobsang Gyatso and Ngawang Thekchok. English editing by Beth Lee. First published in 1979 by The Tibetan Cultural Printing Press (Dharmasala, India). Published in 1983 by Mahayana Publications (New Delhi, India). Re-published in 1986 by Wisdom Publications (London, England) (out of print). The text herein has been checked against the Tibetan, lightly edited and reformatted. Preface, Introduction, Poem and endnotes are omitted.

The Tibetan Dhammapada

capp 1 - 15

Chapter 1 – IMPERMANENCE

1 I I will relate correctly here

The Conqueror’s indicative teachings.

Dispel dullness and sleepiness

And listen well with a joyful mind.

2 The Protector, the All-knowing One,

The Mighty, the All-merciful,

The Holder of the last body,

The Bhagavan spoke out these words.

3 Alas! composites are impermanent,

They start to perish when they are produced.

Since having arisen they perish;

Calming them down is happiness.

4 How can any person know joy

Or pleasure in such a hot blaze

Why don’t those living in the dark

Make an effort to find a torch? Read the rest of this entry »

the Tibetan Dhammapada, the Udanavarga – capp 16 - 28 Compiled by DHARMATRATA

Translated into English from Tibetan by Gareth Sparham with guidance from Lobsang Gyatso and Ngawang Thekchok. English editing by Beth Lee. First published in 1979 by The Tibetan Cultural Printing Press (Dharmasala, India). Published in 1983 by Mahayana Publications (New Delhi, India). Re-published in 1986 by Wisdom Publications (London, England) (out of print). The text herein has been checked against the Tibetan, lightly edited and reformatted. Preface, Introduction, Poem and endnotes are omitted.

Chapter 16 - MISCELLANEOUS

1 Do sentry work, one’s task, at the outset

Because the time for work reverts.

2 When first you have done like this ―

Seen the task, and the time for work, and want to end

[Misery], since you have beheld that the practice

[Brings] what is desired ―

You should therefore concentrate until

The purpose is fully attained,

And by concentration and fortitude

Become an island unto yourself.

3 Purify all of your stains

Like a silversmith does silver.

Cleansed of stains, no faults arise;

Birth and death no longer arise.

4 Motivated by their wrong views ―

Ashamed when shame need not be felt

And not ashamed of shameful things,

Afraid of what is not fearful

And unafraid of the fearful ―

The living migrate to lower realms. -  LEGGI TUTTO  … Read the rest of this entry »

the Tibetan Dhammapada, the Udanavarga (capp  29 - 33) – Compiled by DHARMATRATA

Translated into English from Tibetan by Gareth Sparham with guidance from Lobsang Gyatso and Ngawang Thekchok. English editing by Beth Lee. First published in 1979 by The Tibetan Cultural Printing Press (Dharmasala, India). Published in 1983 by Mahayana Publications (New Delhi, India). Re-published in 1986 by Wisdom Publications (London, England) (out of print). The text herein has been checked against the Tibetan, lightly edited and reformatted. Preface, Introduction, Poem and endnotes are omitted.

Chapter 29 - ANTITHESES

1 Just as the fireflies appear

Until the sun begins to shine,

And when the sun is shining

Turn dowdy and do not appear,

So too philosophers appear

Until the Ones Thus Gone start to shine

And when the Universal Buddha shines

Those [philosophers] with their listeners do not show up.

2 Liking what is not likeable

Not liking what is likeable

Those whose conduct is misconceived

Do not attain the likeable.

3 Discerning in the true light

What is likeable and what is not,

Those whose conduct is well conceived

Attain that which is likeable.

4 [Those who are] clinging to their beliefs,

and to what they’ve heard,

Making a new and increasing their bonds:

They race and live within this cyclic world

Like moths flying into the flames. Read the rest of this entry »