Reflection offered in 2023

It is a fool who indulges in dreaming
about the most comfortable
place to live, saying
"here it will be warm,
there it will be cool" -
unaware of impending death.

Dhammapada v.286

Reflection offered in 2023

Making an arbitrary decision
does not amount to justice.
Having considered arguments
for and against,
the wise decide the case.

Dhammapada v.256

Reflection offered in 2023

Refrain from doing that which is unsuitable,
cultivate that which is wholesome;
purify the heart.
This is the teaching of the Awakened Ones.

Dhammapada v.183

Reflection offered in 2023

Like a spoon is unable to taste
the flavour of the soup,
are the fools who cannot see truth,
even though they live
all their lives with the wise.

Dhammapada v.64

Reflection offered in 2023

It is wise
to set ourselves right
before instructing others.

Dhammapada v.158

Reflection offered in 2022

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 speak or act
from a pure heart.

Dhammapada v.2

Reflection offered in 2022

As a border city must be carefully protected
so guard yourself both within and without;
build your defences wisely and in time.
If these things are not attended to
at the right moment, great sadness will come.

Dhammapada v.315

Reflection offered in 2022

The fragrance of flowers or sandalwood
blows only with the prevailing wind,
but the fragrance of virtue
pervades all directions.

Dhammapada v.54

Reflection offered in 2022

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

Dhammapada v.244

Reflection offered in 2022

There is no place on earth
beyond the reach of death -
not in a mountain cave,
the ocean nor in the sky.

Dhammapada v.128

Reflection offered in 2022

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

Dhammapada v.239

Reflection offered in 2022

Let the dread of endless mediocrity spur you into great effort,
like a well-trained horse encouraged by the mere touch of the whip.
Relinquish the burden of endless struggle with unapologetic confidence,
with purity of action, effort, concentration,
and by conscious and disciplined commitment to the path.

Dhammapada v.144

Reflection offered in 2022

Even those who live wholesome lives
can experience suffering
so long as their acts have not yet borne direct fruits.
However, when the fruits of their actions ripen
the joyful consequences cannot be avoided.

Dhammapada v.120

Reflection offered in 2022

We are our own protection;
we are indeed our own secure abiding;
how could it be otherwise?
So with due care we attend to ourselves.

Dhammapada v.380

Reflection offered in 2022

"All realities are devoid
of an abiding self";
when we see this with insight
we will tire of this life of suffering.
This is the way to purification.

Dhammapada v.279

Reflection offered in 2022

As a beautiful flower
without fragrance is disappointing,
so are wise words
without right action.

Dhammapada v.51

Reflection offered in 2021

As a beautiful flower
without fragrance is disappointing,
so are wise words
without right action.

Dhammapada v.51

Reflection offered in 2021

Fostering habits
such as craving and clinging
is like fertilizing noxious weeds.

Dhammapada v.335

Reflection offered in 2021

Those who always look for
the faults of others -
their corruptions increase
and they are far from freedom.

Dhammapada v.253

Reflection offered in 2021

Victory leads to hatred,
for the defeated suffer.
The peaceful live happily,
beyond victory and defeat.

Dhammapada v.201