We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
1. Choices, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

"Look how he abused me and hurt me,
How he threw me down and robbed me."
Live with such thoughts and you live in hate.

"Look how he abused me and hurt me,
How he threw me down and robbed me."
Abandon such thoughts, and live in love.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
1. Choices, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

See the false as false,
The true as true.
Look into your heart.
Follow your nature.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
1. Choices, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

However many holy words you read,
However many you speak,
What good will they do you
If you do not act upon them?

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
1. Choices, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

An untroubled mind,
No longer seeking to consider
What is right and what is wrong,
A mind beyond judgements,
Watches and understands.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
3. Mind, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Your worst enemy cannot harm you
As much as your own thoughts, unguarded.

But once mastered,
No one can help you as much,
Not even your father or your mother.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
3. Mind, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Look to your own faults,
What you have done or left undone.
Overlook the faults of others.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
4. Flowers, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

If the traveler cannot find
Master or friend to go with him,
Let him travel alone
Rather than with a fool for company.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
5. The Fool, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The fool who knows he is a fool
Is that much wiser.
The fool who thinks he is wise
Is a fool indeed.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
5. The Fool, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Does the spoon taste the soup?
A fool may live all his life
In the company of a master
And still miss the way.

The tongue tastes the soup.
If you are awake in the presence of a master
One moment will show you the way.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
5. The Fool, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Why do what you will regret?
Why bring tears upon yourself?

Do only what you do not regret,
And fill yourself with joy.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
5. The Fool, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Look not for recognition
But follow the awakened
And set yourself free.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
5. The Fool, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The wise man tells you
Where you have fallen
And where you yet may fall —
Invaluable secrets!
Follow him, follow the way.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
6. The Wise Man, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The wind cannot shake a mountain.
Neither praise nor blame moves the wise man.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
6. The Wise Man, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Want nothing.
Where there is desire,
Say nothing.

Happiness or sorrow —
Whatever befalls you,
Walk on
Untouched, unattached.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
6. The Wise Man, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Few cross over the river.
Most are stranded on this side.
On the riverbank they run up and down.

But the wise man, following the way,
Crosses over, beyond the reach of death.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
6. The Wise Man, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

At the end of the way
The master finds freedom
From desire and sorrow —
Freedom without bounds.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
7. The Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Those who awaken
Never rest in one place.
Like swans, they rise
And leave the lake.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
7. The Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The master surrenders his beliefs.
He sees beyond the end and the beginning.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
7. The Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Better than a thousand hollow words
Is one word that brings peace.

Better than a thousand hollow verses
Is one verse that brings peace.

Better than a hundred hollow lines
Is one line of the law, bringing peace.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
8. The Thousands, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

It is better to conquer yourself
Than to win a thousand battles.

Then the victory is yours.
It cannot be taken from you,
Not by angels or by demons,
Heaven or hell.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
8. The Thousands, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Better than a hundred years of mischief
Is one day spent in contemplation.

Better than a hundred years of ignorance
Is one day spent in reflection.

Better than a hundred years of idleness
Is one day spent in determination.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
8. The Thousands, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Be quick to do good.
If you are slow,
The mind, delighting in mischief,
Will catch you.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
9. Mischief, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Turn away from mischief.
Again and again, turn away.
Before sorrow befalls you.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
9. Mischief, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

As dust thrown against the wind,
Mischief is blown back in the face
Of the fool who wrongs the pure and harmless.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
9. Mischief, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Never speak harsh words
For they will rebound upon you.
Angry words hurt
And the hurt rebounds.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
10. Violence, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Like a broken gong
Be still, and silent.
Know the stillness of freedom
Where there is no more striving.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
10. Violence, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Believe, meditate, see.
Be harmless, be blameless.
Awake to the law.
And from all sorrows free yourself.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
10. Violence, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The world is on fire!
And you are laughing?
You are deep in the dark.
Will you not ask for a light?

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
11. Old Age, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

You are your only master.
Who else?
Subdue yourself,
And discover your master.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
12. Yourself, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Mischief is yours.
Sorrow is yours.
But virtue is also yours,
And purity.

You are the source
Of all purity and impurity.

No one purifies another.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
12. Yourself, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The world is in darkness.
How few have eyes to see!
How few the birds
Who escape the net and fly to heaven!

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
13. The World, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Greater than all the joys
Of heaven and earth,
Greater still and than dominion
Over all the worlds,
Is the joy of reaching the stream.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
13. The World, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Hard it is to be born,
Hard it is to live,
Harder still to hear of the way,
And hard to rise, follow, and awake.

Yet the reaching is simple.
Do what is right.
Be pure.
At the end of the way is freedom.
Till then, patience.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
14. The Man Who Is Awake, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Offend in neither word nor deed.
Eat with moderation.
Live in your heart.
Seek the highest consciousness.

Master yourself according to the law.
This is the simple teaching of the awakened.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
14. The Man Who Is Awake, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Live in joy,
In love,
Even among those who hate.

Live in joy,
In health,
Even among the afflicted.

Live in joy,
In peace,
Even among the troubled.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
15. Joy, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The winner sows hatred
Because the loser suffers.
Let go of winning and losing
And find joy.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
15. Joy, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

There is no fire like passion,
No crime like hatred,
No sorrow like separation,
No sickness like hunger,
And no joy like the joy of freedom.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
15. Joy, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Health, contentment and trust
Are your greatest possessions,
And freedom your greatest joy.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
15. Joy, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Look within.
Be still.
Free from fear and attachment,
Know the sweet joy of the way.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
15. Joy, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

How long the road to the man
Who travels the road with the fool.
But whoever follows those who follow the way
Discovers his family, and is filled with joy.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
15. Joy, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Do not let pleasure distract you
From meditation, from the way.

Free yourself from pleasure and pain.
For in craving pleasure or in nursing pain
There is only sorrow.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
16. Pleasure, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Let go of anger.
Let go of pride.
When you are bound by nothing
You go beyond sorrow.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
17. Anger, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

With gentleness overcome anger.
With generosity overcome meanness.
With truth overcome deceit.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
17. Anger, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

It is an old saying —
"They blame you for being silent,
They blame you when you talk too much
And when you talk too little."
Whatever you do, they blame you.

The world always finds
A way to praise and a way to blame.
It always has and it always will.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
17. Anger, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Beware of the anger of the body.
Master the body.
Let it serve truth.

Beware of the anger of the mouth.
Master your words.
Let them serve truth.

Beware of the anger of the mind.
Master your thoughts.
Let them serve truth.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
17. Anger, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The wise have mastered
Body, word and mind.

They are the true masters.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
17. Anger, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

You are as the yellow leaf.
The messengers of death are at hand.
You are to travel far away.
What will you take with you?

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
18. Impurity, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Life is easy
For the man who is without shame,
Impudent as a crow,
A vicious gossip,
Vain, meddlesome, dissolute.

But life is hard
For the man who quietly undertakes
The way of perfection,
With purity, detachment and vigor.
He sees light.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
18. Impurity, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

There is no fire like passion.
There are no chains like hate.
Illusion is a net,
Desire is a rushing river.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
18. Impurity, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Dwelling on your brother's faults
Multiplies your own.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
18. Impurity, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The way is not in the sky.
The way is in the heart.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
18. Impurity, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Quietly consider
What is right and what is wrong.
Receiving all opinions equally,
Without haste, wisely,
Observe the law.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
19. The Just, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Who is wise,
The eloquent or the quiet man?
Be quiet,
And loving and fearless.

For the mind talks.
But the body knows.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
19. The Just, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The true master lives in truth,
In goodness and restraint,
Non-violence, moderation and purity.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
19. The Just, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The true seeker
Subdues all waywardness.
He has submitted his nature to quietness.

He is a true seeker
Not because he begs
But because he follows the lawful way,
Holding back nothing, holding to nothing,
Beyond good and evil,
Beyond the body and beyond the mind.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
19. The Just, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

It is not good conduct
That helps you upon the way,
Nor ritual, nor book learning,
Nor withdrawal into the self,
Nor deep meditation.
None of these confers mastery or joy.

O seeker!
Rely on nothing
Until you want nothing.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
19. The Just, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

All virtue lies in detachment.
The master has an open eye.

This is the only way,
The only way to the opening of the eye.
Follow it.
Outwit desire.

Follow it to the end of sorrow.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
20. The Way, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

It is you who must make the effort.
The masters only point the way.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
20. The Way, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

"Everything arises and passes away."
When you see this, you are above sorrow.
This is the shining way.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
20. The Way, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

"Existence is sorrow."
Understand, and go beyond sorrow.
This is the way of brightness.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
20. The Way, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

"Existence is illusion."
Understand, and go beyond.
This is the way of clarity.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
20. The Way, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Master your words.
Master your thoughts.
Never allow your body to do harm.
Follow these three roads with purity
And you will find yourself upon the one way,
The way of wisdom.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
20. The Way, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

There is pleasure
And there is bliss.
Forgo the first to possess the second.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
21. Out of the Forest, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Sit.
Rest.
Work.

Alone with yourself,
Never weary.

On the edge of the forest
Live joyfully,
Without desire.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
21. Out of the Forest, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Do what you have to do
Resolutely, with all your heart.
The traveler who hesitates
Only raises dust on the road.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
22. The Dark, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

It is better to do nothing
Than to do what is wrong.
For whatever you do, you do to yourself.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
22. The Dark, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Awake.
Be the witness of your thoughts.
The elephant hauls himself from the mud.
In the same way drag yourself out of your sloth.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
23. The Elephant, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

If you cannot find
Friend or master to go with you,
Travel on alone —
Like a king who has given away his kingdom,
Like an elephant in the forest.

Travel on alone,
Rather than with a fool for company.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
23. The Elephant, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Do not carry with you your mistakes.
Do not carry your cares.

Travel on alone.
Like an elephant in the forest.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
23. The Elephant, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

If you sleep,
Desire grows in you
Like a vine in the forest.

Like a monkey in the forest
You jump from tree to tree,
Never finding the fruit —
From life to life,
Never finding peace.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
24. Desire, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

If you are filled with desire
Your sorrows swell
Like the grass after the rain.

But if you subdue desire
Your sorrows shall fall from you
Like drops of water from a lotus flower.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
24. Desire, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

O seeker!
Give up desire,
Shake off your chains.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
24. Desire, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

It is not iron that imprisons you
Nor rope nor wood,
But the pleasure you take in gold and jewels,
In sons and wives.

Soft fetters,
Yet they hold you down.
Can you snap them?

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
24. Desire, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Abandon yesterday, and tomorrow,
And today.
Cross over to the father shore,
Beyond life and death.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
24. Desire, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The end of desire is the end of sorrow.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
24. Desire, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

The fool is his own enemy.
Seeking wealth, he destroys himself.
Seek rather the other shore.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
24. Desire, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Master your senses,
What you taste and smell,
What you see, what you hear.

In all things be a master
Of what you do and say and think.
Be free.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
25. The Seeker, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Follow the truth of the way.
Reflect upon it.
Make it your own.
Live it.
It will always sustain you.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
25. The Seeker, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Do not turn away what is given you,
Nor reach out for what is given to others,
Lest you disturb your quietness.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
25. The Seeker, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Give thanks
For what had been given to you,
However little.
Be pure, never falter.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
25. The Seeker, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Seeker!
Empty the boat,
Lighten the load,
Passion and desire and hatred.

And sail swiftly.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
25. The Seeker, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Go beyond
This way or that way,
To the farther shore
Where the world dissolves
And everything becomes clear.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
26. The True Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Meditate.
Live purely.
Be quiet.
Do your work, with mastery.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
26. The True Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

A master gives up mischief.
He is serene.
He leaves everything behind him.

He does not take offence
And he does not give it.
He never returns evil for evil.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
26. The True Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Alas for the man
Who raises his hand against another,
And even more for him
Who returns the blow.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
26. The True Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Resist the pleasures of life
And the desire to hurt —
Till sorrows vanish.

Never offend
By what you think or say or do.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
26. The True Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom

Desiring nothing, doubting nothing,
Beyond judgement and sorrow
And the pleasures of the senses,
He had moved beyond time.
He is pure and free.

Buddha Gautama  (563–483 BC)
26. The True Master, "The Dhammapada"
Translated from Pali by Thomas Byrom