Learning to recite the verses in MAGGA VAGGA (THE PATH) of THE DHAMMAPADA in Pāli & English. Notes:- Verses 273-276 The Eight-fold Path is the Middle Way discovered by the Buddha for the realization of Nibbāna. It consists of right understanding (sammā ditthi), right thoughts (sammā samkappa), right speech (sammā vācā), right action (sammā kammanta), right livelihood (sammā ājiva), right effort (sammā vāyama), right mindfulness (sammā sati), and right concentration (sammā samādhi). This is the unique path of Enlightenment. From a philosophical stand-point these eight factors are the eight mental states found in the supra mundane consciousness which has Nibbāna for its object. The four Sayings -- they are the four Noble Truths -- suffering, the cause of suffering, the destruction of suffering and the path leading to the destruction of suffering. The first truth of suffering is to be comprehended, the cause of suffering (which is craving) is to be eradicated, the destruction of suffering (which is Nibbāna) is to be realized, the path leading to the destruction of suffering (which is the Eight-fold Path) is to be developed. Whether the Buddhas arise or not these four truths exist in the world. It is the Buddhas that reveal them to mankind. Non-attachment -- virāga = Nibbāna. The arrow (of suffering) -- of lust etc Verse 277 Saṅkhāra is a multi-significant term. Here it is used in the sense of things conditioned by causes, Supramundane Nibbāna is not included in saṅkhāra as it is not conditioned by any cause. It is causeless and timeless. The painful -- suffering caused by attending to the five Aggregates. Verse 279 Impermanence (anicca), sorrow (dukkha) and no-soul (anattā) are the three characteristics of all things conditioned by causes. It is by contemplating them that one realizes Nibbāna. The aspirant may choose any characteristic that appeals to him most. Anattā or no-soul is the crux of Buddhism. The term saṅkhāra which is applied to any conditioned thing is used in the two previous verses, while in the third verse the term dhamma is used. The commentator interprets dhamma as the "aggregates" (khandha). The same interpretation he gives to saṅkhāra too. If by dhamma is meant saṅkhāra, there is no reason for the Buddha to make a differentiation in the third verse. Saṅkhāra is applied only to those things conditioned by causes. Dhamma can be applied to both conditioned and unconditioned things and states. It embraces both conditioned and unconditioned things including Nibbāna. In order to show that even Nibbāna is free from a permanent soul the Buddha used the term dhamma in the third verse. Nibbāna is a positive supramundance state and is without a soul. Verse 283 Here vana means forest of such passions as lust, hatred, and delusion. When the Buddha said, "Cut down the forest", some newly ordained monks erroneously gave the expression its literal meaning. The Buddha, reading their thoughts, corrected them, stating that what he meant was not actual trees but passions. Both forest -- vana means big trees and vanatha means smaller trees. Here vana means the powerful passions and vanatha means the lesser passions. Be forestless -- having eradicated all passions by means of the four Paths, be passionless. The Dhammapada contains stories with beautiful illustrations and utterances of the Buddha in verses which elucidates the wide scope and meaning of the 423 verses of wisdom of the Dhammapada and its essential advice is timeless and precious. "Hence the Dhammapada may be considered to be a work that reaches out to all of humanity, which underscores our common heritage on this earth. The Dhammapada transcends narrow sectarian loyalties. It is indeed a book for all mankind." - Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda Nayaka Maha Thera (The text and some of the images therein are extracted from the hard-cover book "The Dhammapada" by Dr. K. Sri Dhammapada Nayaka Maha Thera.) Recited by: a lay truth-seeker. "The gift of truth excels all other gifts." - Buddha

• published: 24 Aug 2013
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