Dhammapada Reflections
New Moon - Compassion
Reflection offered in 2015
One who finds refuge in the Buddha
in the Dhamma and in the Sangha
sees with penetrating insight
suffering, its cause, its release
and the Way leading to true freedom.
Dhammapada 190 - 191
Full moon - Dilemmas
Reflection offered in 2015
Silence does not denote profundity
if you are ignorant and untrained.
Like one holding scales,
a sage weighs things up,
wholesome and unwholesome,
and comes to know both the inner and outer worlds.
Therefore the sage is called wise.
Dhammapada v. 268 – 269
New moon - Simplify
Reflection offered in 2015
Reciting a single verse of truth
which calms the mind
is better than reciting
a hundred meaningless verses.
Dhammapada v. 102
Full Moon – Transforming
Reflection offered in 2015
There are those who discover
they can completely abandon confused reactions
and become patient as the earth;
unmoved by anger,
unshaken as a pillar,
unperturbed as a clear and quiet pool.
Dhammapada v. 95
New Moon - Being Loving
Reflection offered in 2015
Naturally held dear are those
who live with right action
and have found the Way,
and through insight become established in the truth.
Dhammapada v. 217
Full Moon – Wisdom
Reflection offered in 2015
Hasten to cultivate wisdom;
make an island for yourself.
Freed from stain and defilement
you are released from birth and death.
Dhammapada v. 238
New Moon - Honouring
Reflection offered in 2015
To honour, even for a single moment,
one who has attained self-mastery,
is of greater benefit than a hundred years
spent habitually performing ceremonies
based on a wrong understanding.
Dhammapada v. 107
Full moon – the Heart
Reflection offered in 2015
All states of being are determined by the heart.
It is the heart that leads the way.
As surely as our shadow never leaves us,
so happiness will follow
when we act or speak with a pure heart.
Dhammapada v. 2