The Dhammapada [Translation by Gil Fronsdal]

‘The Dhammapada’ is the principal spiritual scripture of the Theravada tradition. It’s an anthology of 423 verses that were originally written in Pali. These verses were compiled by the early disciples of the Buddha, who transcribed from memory the essence of their Master’s message – the path to liberation. Liberation in two senses - freedom from rebirth upon dying, as well as living in wisdom in the present life.

Gil Fronsdale has divided his translation of the Dhammapada into twenty-six chapters. Some excerpts:

“Irrigators guide water;

Fletchers shape arrows;

Carpenters fashion wood;

Sages tame themselves.”

(from ‘The Sage’)

“Through many births

I have wandered on and on,

Searching for, but never finding,

The builder of [this] house.

To be born again and again is suffering.

House-builder, you are seen!

You will not build a house again!

All the rafters are broken,

The ridgepole is destroyed;

The mind, gone to the Unconstructed.

Has reached the end of craving!”

(from ‘Old Age’)

Gil Fronsdale’s elegant translation of the Buddha’s doctrine evinces his training in the Zen tradition, as well his academic credentials. He is both a practitioner and teacher of Vipassana, who received his Ph.D in Buddhist Studies from Stanford University.