Full Moon – Friday 28th August, 2026

Self-mastery is the supreme victory -
much more to be valued
than winning control over others.
It is a victory that no other being whatsoever
can distort or take away.

Dhammapada 104-5

We might hold to the view that the Buddha taught there is no such thing as a ‘self’. This is a popular misunderstanding. Rather, what he taught was that if we want to be free from suffering we ought to be enquiring into whether that which we perceive as our ‘self’ is actually anything substantial. He wants us to cease seeking security in that which is inherently uncertain. Our sense of self is a construct. It is dynamic. Like a rainbow it looks like a substantial thing though in fact it only ‘appears’ that way. There is nothing wrong with having an individuated sense of self. The trouble arises from identifying as this ever-changing process. With a little education we learn that it is a mistake to chase after a rainbow hoping to find a pot of gold. Now we need to make the effort to stop seeking contentment by following ‘my’ way. This is why we go for refuge to the Buddha’s way, the Dhamma.

(This post is also available at dhammakatha.org)

These Dhammapada quotes have been taken or adapted from, A Dhammapada For Contemplation, by Ajahn Munindo, published by Aruno Publications. They should not be understood as literal renderings of the Dhammapada. For literal translations, please read other works. The reflections are by Ajahn Munindo.

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