According to Eknath Easwaran, if all of the Buddhist sutras had been lost except the Dhammapada, it alone would be enough for readers to understand and appreciate the wisdom of the Buddha. Easwaran's version of the Dhammapada goes a long way toward proving this. In a lengthy introduction, Easwaran summarizes the life of the Buddha and the main tenets of his thought, including key concepts such as dharma, karma, and nirvana. The language of the Dhammapada is as lucid and flowing as the Psalms or the Sermon on the Mount, and this is why it is one of the most loved and remembered of all Buddhist sutras. Its subject matter, succinctly, is about training the mind, which leads to kind thoughts and deeds, which bring peace and freedom from suffering. If you are interested in reading one of the gems of Buddhist literature, this is a good place to start; and if you are looking for a great version of this beloved scripture, you can't do better. Like all great world scripture, the verses here reward rereading and reflection, prompting you to "strive for wisdom always." --Brian Bruya


Bookpaper
"Easwaran's clear, contemporary translation makes this classic of India's spiritual tradition particularly accessible to Western readers. His introduction focuses on what is universal in the Buddha's life, background, and teachings, including a particularly penetrating account of the Buddha's four stages of meditation.' "


Book Description
The Dhammapada is a collection of the Buddha's teachings stamped with the power and practicality of one of the world's most appealing spiritual figures. Eknath Easwaran's introduction describes the Buddha's life, background, and teachings, including a particularly penetrating account of the Buddha's "four stages of meditation." Chapter introductions by Steve Ruppenthal provide background from relevant Buddhist doctrine. 208 pages.


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)


From the Publisher
The Buddha spoke to people of all classes and professions, using vivid metaphors which are just as illuminating today as they were when he first spoke them 2,500 years ago. The Dhammapada is one of the most representative collections of these teachings. Its short, lucid verses contain some of the Buddha's most immediate and approachable instructions on how to meditate and lead a more compassionate and fulfilling life.


About the Author
Schooled in both Eastern and Western traditions, Eknath Easwaran took to the spiritual life amidst a successful career in India as a professor of English literature, writer and lecturer. He came to the University of California, Berkeley, in 1960 on the Fulbright exchange program and established the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation in Northern California in 1961. His Sanskrit, of which Pali, the language of the Buddha, is a simplified version, comes from one of the purest traditions in India.