Reflection offered in 2015

Tedious is the company of fools,
always painful,
like being surrounded by enemies;
but to associate with the wise
is like being at home.

Dhammapada 207

Reflection offered in 2015

Transform anger with non-anger,
badness with the good,
meanness with generosity
and deceit with integrity.

Dhammapada 223

Reflection offered in 2015

If we hold ourselves dear,
then we maintain careful self-regard
both day and night.

Dhammapada 157

Reflection offered in 2015

Here and hereafter
those who live their lives well, abide in happiness.
They are filled with a natural appreciation of virtue,
and dwell in delight.

Dhammapada 18

Reflection offered in 2015

Disciples of the Buddha
are fully awake,
dwelling both day and night
in contemplation of Reality.

Dhammapada 297

Reflection offered in 2015

Do not dismiss the effects of evil,
saying, "This will come to nothing."
Just as by the gradual fall of raindrops
the water jar is filled, so in time
fools are corrupted by evil-doing.

Dhammapada 121

Reflection offered in 2015

These three ways lead to the heavens:
asserting the truth,
not yielding to anger,
and giving, even if you have only a little to share.

Dhammapada 224

Reflection offered in 2015

Though one may know much about Dhamma,
if one does not live accordingly -
like a cowherd who covets another's cattle -
one experiences none of the benefits
of walking the Way.

Dhammapada v. 19

Reflection offered in 2015

Those who remain friendly amid the hostile,
at peace among the aggressive,
and who do not attach themselves
to that upon which others depend
are great beings.

Dhammapada v. 406

Reflection offered in 2015

This body wears out with age;
it becomes a host to disease
- vulnerable, fragile,
|a decrepit, disintegrating mass,
which eventually ends in death.

Dhammapada v. 148

Reflection offered in 2015

Those who speak truth
and give gentle encouragement,
contending with no-one,
these do I call great beings.

Dhammapada v. 408

Reflection offered in 2015

Here and hereafter those who perform evil acts
create their own suffering.
Mental preoccupation with the thought,
"I have done wrong" possesses their minds,
and they fall into chaos.

Dhammapada v. 17

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

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

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