The Dhammapada (Penguin Classics) | 
|  | | | Title: | The Dhammapada (Penguin Classics) | | Author: | Anonymous
Juan Mascaro (Translator) | | Publisher: | Penguin Classics | | Type: | Book / Paperback | | Publication Date: | 30 May, 1973 | | ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0140442847 / 9780140442847 | | List Price: | $8.95 | | Amazon Price: | $8.95 | |
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Product Description
"The Dhammapada" is a collection of aphorisms that illustrate the moral teachings of Buddha - the spiritual path to the supreme Truth. Probably compiled in the third century BCE, the verses are arranged according to theme, covering ideas such as self-possession, good and evil, watchfulness and endurance. Together they describe how an individual can attain the enlightenment of Nirvana, the supreme goal of Buddhism. The road to Nirvana, as illustrated in "The Dhammapada", is narrow and difficult to negotiate, but the reward of eternal life gives hope and determination to the traveller.
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Customer Reviews:
• A Must Read 04 August, 2007
I've read about 100 buddhism books, and so far, I think this one (this translation of the Dhammapada) and the Dalai Lama's "A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night - A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life" are the best buddhism teachings I've read to date.
I read the earlier reviews by some stating this translation is not accurate. Maybe other translations are more literally word for word correct with the original; however, I feel that this translation conveys the teaching the best.
Read the various translations that Riku Simonen presented in his post, and the one that Thomas gave in the comment to Simonen's post. Forget about the accuracy of the translation, which one makes the most sense?
Supposively Buddha stated that a person should not follow any teaching based on blind faith, that all teachings should be questioned, and only the ones that are true to a person's heart should be followed.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2TL2N9U5M7XWE
• Poetic But Outdated Translation 07 September, 2002
Having read Max Muller's over 100 year misleading translation, Carter's and Palihawadana's philosophical, dry, but excellent translation, which, with annonations builds up whole buddhist philosophical system, Mascaro's translation is deeply disappointing. While I can't understand Pali, Carter's translation is -or at least seems to be very convincing translation. Mascarara's translation is beatiful and poetic but has same grave philosophical errors than Muller's outdated translations. Let's see one example.Chapter one, verse one is translated by Muller as: 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 carriageMascaro's also misleading translation goes like: What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and out present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind. If a man speaks or act with an impure mind, suffering follows him as the wheel of the cart follows the beast that draws the cart.But Carter's et al. translation reveals the (propably) true (philosophical) meaning of the verse: Proceeded by perception are mental states,*1 for them is perception supreme, from them perception have they sprung. If, with perception polluted*2, one speaks or acts, Thence suffering follows As a wheel the draughts wheel ox's foot.annonations of Carter's book:*1 perception...mental states: the pure event of seeing, hearing, smelling etc. an object is 'perception'; the concurrent rise of attachment, hate, anger, desire etc. with regard to it ís the mental states.*2 polluted: that is, with mental states such as anger.
- Reviewed by customer ID: AZ8KDI4AYA19L
• Beautiful And Inspiring 11 February, 2003
The Dhammapada is one of the world's great religious classics, and its pithy, poetic style makes it very direct and inspiring. Like some of the other reviewers, I don't read Pali, and it's probably true that this isn't the most literal translation. However, I've read several translations of the Dhammapada and this has been my favorite for a long time. In any translation of a poetic nature, the translator must choose a certain balance between a strictly literal translation of the source material and a poetic rendering of the material in the target language, and Mascaro leans a little toward the latter. I've been a student of Buddhism for some years, though, and I find very few places where Mascaro's translation seems to be inaccurate --- even though there are other translations that may be a little more precise and literal. In any case, there are many Buddhist philosophical works where precision of terminology is critical, but, since the Dhammapada is a more general work consisting mainly of aphorisms, it's one work where a little poetic license seems acceptable.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3V1EPSE6XDC0C
• My Foundation 26 October, 2008
This has been the single most important book in my life for many years now. Some reviews dislike the translation, well I have never read another version of this book, but this version has brought me peace and clarity many times with the wisdom found within it.
I recommend the Dhammapada to anyone who wants to travel the road of peace and self discovery. Read one chapter a day, every day, and you will find new meaning each day even if the chapter has been read many times.
As stated in the title, the book is my foundation.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3QXFMHA96AA8N
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