Reflection offered in 2019

Strength of patience
is the might of noble beings;
they can be shackled,
endure verbal abuse and beatings,
without resentment.

Dhammapada v.399

Reflection offered in 2019

Avoid speaking harshly to others;
harsh speech prompts retaliation.
Those hurt by your words may hurt you back.

Dhammapada v.133

Reflection offered in 2019

Gradually, gradually,
a moment at a time,
the wise remove their own impurities
as a goldsmith removes the dross.

Dhammapada v.53

Reflection offered in 2019

As many garlands can be made
from a heap of flowers,
so too much that is wholesome can be done
during this human existence.

Dhammapada v.53

Reflection offered in 2019

It is good to be restrained in body.
It is good to be restrained in speech.
It is good to be restrained in mind.
It is good to be restrained in everything.
The renunciate who is restrained in every way
will realize freedom from suffering.

Dhammapada v.361

Reflection offered in 2019

For many lives I have wandered
looking for, but not finding,
the house-builder who caused my suffering.
But now you are seen
and you shall build no more.
Your rafters are dislodged
and the ridge-pole is broken.
All craving is ended;
my heart is as one with the unmade.

Dhammapada v.153-4

Reflection offered in 2019

Like a fish which on being dragged
from its home in the water
and tossed on dry land
will thrash about,
so will the heart tremble
when withdrawing
from the current of Mara.

Dhammapada v.34

Reflection offered in 2019

Those who have renounced
the use of force in relationship to other beings,
whether weak or strong,
who neither kill nor cause to be killed,
can be called great beings.

Dhammapada v.405

Reflection offered in 2018

As a beautiful flower;
with a delightful fragrance is pleasing,
so is wise and lovely speech
when matched with right action.

Dhammapada v.52

Reflection offered in 2018

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 2018

Whoever has cut all that tethers
and found fearlessness,
who is beyond attachments
and defilements,
I recognize as a great being.

Dhammapada v. 397

Reflection offered in 2018

There is no tension
for those who have completed their journey
and have become free
from the distress of all binding ties.

Dhammapada v. 90

Reflection offered in 2018

One who transforms old and heedless ways
into fresh and wholesome acts
brings light into the world
like the moon freed from clouds.

Dhammapada v. 173

Reflection offered in 2018

Life is easy
for one who lacks shame,
who is as impudent as a crow,
who is arrogant, aggressive,
intrusive and corrupt.

Dhammapada v. 244

Reflection offered in 2018

It is wisdom
that enables letting go
of a lesser happiness
in pursuit of a happiness
which is greater.

Dhammapada v. 290

Reflection offered in 2018

If you walk the path
you will arrive at the end of suffering.
Having beheld this myself,
I proclaim the Way
which removes all thorns.

Dhammapada v. 275

Reflection offered in 2018

Do not ignore 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 v. 121

Reflection offered in 2018

The fragrance of virtue
surpasses by far
the fragrance of flowers
or sandalwood.

Dhammapada v. 55

Reflection offered in 2018

Dwell not on the faults
and shortcomings of others
instead, seek clarity
about your own.

Dhammapada v. 50

Reflection offered in 2018

Better than ruling the whole world,
better than going to heaven,
better than lordship over the universe,
is an irreversible commitment to the Way.

Dhammapada v. 178