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Is it good for a Buddhist to own a copy of the Dhammapada?

webster26webster26
in Buddhism Basics
and could anyone recommend decent copies of it to buy, if this is the case?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • lobsterlobster Crusty Veteran
    http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/sbe10/index.htm

    There might be a better version . . . .

  • cazcaz Veteran United Kingdom Veteran
    I enjoy reading the Dhammapada but it is not a Buddhist Bible, There are many scared texts associated with Buddhism, I have about 30 or so books each teaching different aspect of Buddha's teachings from the first turning to Tantra and everything in between each of them have specific instructions for mind training so they are equally precious.
  • musicmusic
    Buddhist texts are intolerably boring, and that includes the dhammapada. It is better to read modern interpretations instead.
    lobster
  • thickpaperthickpaper Veteran
    I have about 15 versions in print and ebook. They vary so much and I find it is is a joy to read them all, though not at once.

    A few years ago I made a document of the verses side by side for comparison, but this is probably a bit of overkill!

    There is no Buddhist bible as caz says, but the DP is currently the closest that we have, in both doctrine and history.

    Enjoy
  • karastikarasti Breathing Minnesota Moderator
    LOL @ music. Just because you think so doesn't make it true ;) Some western interpretations are quite far from what seems to have been intended (imo). I cannot read in Pali or Tibetan, so either way something is lost in translations because we just don't have the same words available to us. But, I prefer the Buddhist texts. I read plenty of western books and I enjoy them as well, I use them together to gain a well rounded idea, as best as possible, of what is being said. But I enjoy reading the texts, yesterday someone send me a message with a link to a sutra that I read some of with my kids last night, and they enjoyed it as well. Just personal preference.

    I enjoy the Dhammapada, and I refer back to it pretty often and find new things of value each time. But I wouldn't say it's some type of requirement to own it. I think it's worthy to read, especially since so many other things refer to it, and it'll be hard to grasp some of those things if you don't have a clue what the Dhammapada says, lol. But I don't think you need to carry a copy with you and read it constantly or anything.
  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    The dhammapada is a little bit "fire and brimstone" but I still have a copy in my shrine sometimes, though now it is on a table having read from awhile back. When it is on my shrine it is to do honor to the fundamental yana of dharma.
  • footiamfootiam Veteran
    webster26 said:

    and could anyone recommend decent copies of it to buy, if this is the case?

    Thanks in advance!

    It is good to own the Bible even if you don't believe in it!
    In any case, if you don't own a copy of anything, always seek out the Internet.
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