It’s a frenetic industry madly chasing after money. For maritime professionals who want to pause awhile and seek some inspiration and enlightenment, we recommend the Dhammapada, a collection of teachings believed to have been originally spoken by the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama).
The Dhammapada, originally written in the Pali language, consists of 423 verses divided into 26 chapters. It not only lights the path to liberation from samsara—the eternal cycle of birth, suffering, death and rebirth. It also serves as a practical guide to self-mastery, rightful living and a happy life.
The book is full of wonderful gems. Here are our personal favourites (verse numbers in parentheses) from the English translation by the late Buddhist monk and writer, Acharya Buddharakkhita:
- As from a great heap of flowers many garlands can be made, even so should many good deeds be done by one born a mortal. (53)
- Just as rain does not break through a well-thatched house, so passion never penetrates a well-developed mind. (14)
- Excellent are well-trained mules, thoroughbred Sindhu horses and noble tusker elephants. But better still is the man who has subdued himself. (322)
- Just as a solid rock is not shaken by the storm, even so the wise are not affected by praise or blame. (81)
- Like a beautiful flower full of color but without fragrance, even so, fruitless are the fair words of one who does not practice them. (51)
- Neither in the sky nor in mid-ocean, nor by entering into mountain clefts, nowhere in the world is there a place where one may escape from the results of evil deeds. (127)
- If for company you cannot find a wise and prudent friend who leads a good life, then, like a king who leaves behind a conquered kingdom, or like a lone elephant in the elephant forest, you should go your way alone. (329)
- Speak the truth; yield not to anger; when asked, give even if you only have a little. By these three means can one reach the presence of the gods. (244)
- Easy is life for the shameless one who is impudent as a crow, is backbiting and forward, arrogant and corrupt. (244)
- Not by passing arbitrary judgments does a man become just; a wise man is he who investigates both right and wrong. (256)
- He who is full of faith and virtue, and possesses good repute and wealth — he is respected everywhere, in whatever land he travels. (303)
- There are those who do not realize that one day we all must die. But those who do realize this settle their quarrels. (6)
Download a free copy of Acharya Buddharakkhita’s Dhammapada: The Buddha’s Path of Wisdom in various electronic formats from here. It could change your outlook. ~Barista Uno
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