5 For hatred can never put an end to hatred;
love alone can. This is an unalterable law.
6 People forget that their lives will end soon. For
those who remember, quarrels come to an end.
17 Those who are selfish suffer in this life and in the
next. They suffer seeing the results of the evil they have
done, and more suffering awaits them in the next life.
18 But those who are selfless rejoice in this life and in
the next. They rejoice seeing the good that they have
done, and more joy awaits them in the next life.
The Dhammapada, translated by Eknath Easwaran (Nilgiri Press)
The Dhammapada is one of the most revered Buddhist scriptures, consisting of 423 verses that distill the Buddha’s teachings on wisdom, ethics, and the path to liberation. Part of the Pali Canon, it is structured as a collection of short yet profound verses that emphasize mindfulness, right action, and the impermanence of life.
It is one of the most widely read texts of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition and well suited as a beginners introduction to Buddha’s teachings. Often poetic and direct, the text serves as a practical guide for cultivating inner peace and awakening. Its timeless wisdom continues to inspire seekers across traditions, offering insights into the nature of suffering and the way to transcend it.
When people used to complain to the Buddha that they were upset, telling him, “Our children upset us; our partner agitates us,” his simple reply would be,
“You are not upset because of your children or your partner;
you are upset because you are upsettable.”
– Eknath Easwaran