Dhammapada, first line

[seattlegal]

dhammapada
1 - pairs

1-2:

Phenomena are preceded by the heart,
ruled by the heart,
made of the heart.
If you speak or act
with a corrupted heart,
then suffering follows you --
as the wheel of the cart,
the track of the ox
that pulls it.

Phenomena are preceded by the heart,
ruled by the heart,
made of the heart.
If you speak or act
with a calm, bright heart,
then happiness follows you,
like a shadow
that never leaves.

Or, the Christian version (from Matthew chapter 5)

3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

[taijasi]

Thank you, Seattlegal, for posting the verses ... and especially for showing a Christian parallel.


Personally I'm partial to the Dhammapada translation that appears at sacred-texts.com. The first five lines read thus:

1. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.

2. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

3. 'He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,'--in those who harbour such thoughts hatred will never cease.

4. 'He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,'--in those who do not harbour such thoughts hatred will cease.

5. For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule.

I especially like verse 5 ... and how the Buddha points out that "this is an old rule."

Love ... and Light,

andrew

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by taijasi

Thank you, Seattlegal, for posting the verses ... and especially for showing a Christian parallel.

Well, this is a comparative religion forum. Perhaps someone else can also post parallels from other religions.

Originally Posted by taijasi

Personally I'm partial to the Dhammapada translation that appears at sacred-texts.com. The first five lines read thus:

1. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him, as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.

2. All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him.

3. 'He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,'--in those who harbour such thoughts hatred will never cease.

4. 'He abused me, he beat me, he defeated me, he robbed me,'--in those who do not harbour such thoughts hatred will cease.

5. For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love, this is an old rule.

I especially like verse 5 ... and how the Buddha points out that "this is an old rule."

Love ... and Light,

andrew

Here's the Christian expansion on Matthew chapter 5 to parallel your expansion on the Dhammapada pairs:

Originally Posted by Matthew chapter 5, continued

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

[Snoopy]

The Dhammapada, like the dharma generally, is based upon the notion that the mind, and its taming, are the way to end suffering in one self and the world. So the first line of the Dhammapada - "Preceded by mind are phenomena" - means that the mind can "touch" thoughts, because the mind is considered to be a faculty; in the same way that our ears can "touch" sounds.

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

The Dhammapada, like the dharma generally, is based upon the notion that the mind, and its taming, are the way to end suffering in one self and the world. So the first line of the Dhammapada - "Preceded by mind are phenomena" - means that the mind can "touch" thoughts, because the mind is considered to be a faculty; in the same way that our ears can "touch" sounds.

Don't you think the concept (or understanding) that thoughts are things is very new to some people? This notion that thoughts affect, even build or create, reality? Thus that very truly, "all we are is the result of what we have thought?"

It sure gets rid of any justification whatsoever to fall back on the victim mentality as a copout.

taijasi

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by taijasi

Don't you think the concept (or understanding) that thoughts are things is very new to some people? This notion that thoughts affect, even build or create, reality? Thus that very truly, "all we are is the result of what we have thought?"


taijasi

Hi Taijadi,

Maybe you're right!

Each of us creates our own perceived reality that is unique to us. It is born with us and dies with us.

Snoopy.

[neosnoia]

It sure gets rid of any justification whatsoever to fall back on the victim mentality as a copout.

As interested as I am in Vedanta and Buddhism, I still have a hard time with "karma."

[taijasi]

Originally Posted by neosnoia

As interested as I am in Vedanta and Buddhism, I still have a hard time with "karma."

Neos ... which part of the teaching gives you trouble?

Namaskar,

andrew

[neosnoia]

The idea that whatever good or evil that one does in this life is returned to one in this or a next life.

So, everybody on this earth who is suffering is reaping their karma? And those on this earth who are living happy lives are reaping their karma?

How do we explain very good people who are very sick or poor or lonely? How do we explain very evil people who have money, power, friends and fame?

Or do the rewards of karma come to us in more "subtle" returns?

Christianity says "as you sow, so shall you reap," but outside those who hold to prosperity gospel, the idea isn't understood to mean that if you have crap in your life, you must have done something to deserve it.

I've really tried to obtain a different understanding of karma. I know there are nuanced differences regarding the idea in Vedanta, Buddhism and Neo-paganism. Perhaps you have a different understanding of it than I do? I'm interested in your perspective.

[neosnoia]

PS - If the Buddha discovered....