The Dhammapada Summary of Key Ideas and Review - Eknath Easwaran

“The Dhammapada” is a collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form. It is one of the most widely read and revered texts in Buddhism and is considered by many to be a guide to ethical and moral living.

Eknath Easwaran’s translation and interpretation of “The Dhammapada” are widely regarded as some of the best available in English. Easwaran was a spiritual teacher and author who was deeply influenced by the teachings of the Buddha, and his translation reflects his deep understanding and appreciation of the text.

Besides providing a clear and accessible translation of the verses, Easwaran also includes an extensive introduction that provides background on the life and teachings of the Buddha, as well as commentary on each of the verses. This commentary is particularly helpful for readers who are new to Buddhism or who may not be familiar with the cultural and historical context of the text.

This book is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation, or spirituality in general. It provides a clear and accessible introduction to one of the most important texts in Buddhist literature and offers valuable insights into how we can live a more mindful and compassionate life.

Idea 1: Mind is the forerunner of all things

This idea is about the power of our thoughts and the role they play in shaping our reality. Easwaran believed that our thoughts are the starting point for everything we experience in life, whether positive or negative. This means that if we want to change our lives, we need to start by changing our thoughts.

To understand this idea more deeply, it’s helpful to look at the context in which it was originally written. The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings attributed to the Buddha, and it was meant to be a guidebook for living a spiritual life. In this context, “Mind is the forerunner of all things” can be seen as a call to cultivate a positive and peaceful state of mind in order to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

But what does it mean to cultivate a positive and peaceful state of mind? According to Easwaran, this involves developing mindfulness, which is the ability to pay attention to our thoughts and emotions without judgment. When we practice mindfulness, we become aware of the negative thoughts and patterns of thinking that are holding us back, and we can begin to replace them with more positive and uplifting thoughts.

But don’t think this is going to be an easy task to accomplish. Our minds are constantly bombarded with distractions and negative thoughts, and it can be hard to break free from these patterns of thinking. But Easwaran believed that with practice and dedication, we can learn to control our minds and create the kind of life we want to live.

So, how can we put this idea into practice in our daily lives? Here are a few tips:

Start by becoming more aware of your thoughts. Take a few minutes each day to simply observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment.

Notice the negative thought patterns that are holding you back. Do you tend to worry about the future? Are you constantly comparing yourself to others? Once you become aware of these patterns, you can begin to change them.

Practice mindfulness meditation. This involves sitting quietly and focusing on your breath, and it can help you develop the ability to control your thoughts and emotions.

Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Whenever you notice a negative thought, try to replace it with a more positive one. For example, if you find yourself thinking, “I’ll never be able to do this,” try replacing it with, “I can do this if I put in the effort.”

By following these tips, you can begin to cultivate a more positive and peaceful state of mind, which can have a profound impact on all areas of your life. Remember, “Mind is the forerunner of all things,” so if you want to change your life, start by changing your thoughts.

Idea 2: Our thoughts shape our lives and our character

Our thoughts are not just fleeting ideas that pass through our minds; they are the building blocks of our reality. They shape the way we perceive the world around us and influence our emotions, behaviors, and decisions.

If we consistently entertain negative thoughts, we will experience negative emotions and act in ways that reinforce those negative beliefs. Conversely, if we cultivate positive thoughts, we will experience positive emotions and behave in ways that align with those positive beliefs.

It’s like planting a garden. If we plant the seeds of negativity, we will reap a harvest of thorns and weeds. But if we plant the seeds of positivity, we will reap a harvest of beauty and abundance. Our thoughts are like the seeds we plant, and the quality of our lives is determined by the thoughts we cultivate.

Easwaran suggests that our thoughts also shape our character. Our character is the sum of our habits, attitudes, and behaviors. It’s who we are at our core. If we consistently entertain thoughts of compassion, kindness, and empathy, those qualities will become ingrained in our character.

We will become more compassionate, kind, and empathetic people. On the other hand, if we consistently entertain thoughts of anger, resentment, and hatred, those qualities will become ingrained in our character, and we will become more angry, resentful, and hateful people.

So, what can we do to shape our thoughts in a positive way? Easwaran suggests that we practice mindfulness and meditation.

By becoming aware of our thoughts and observing them without judgment, we can begin to understand the patterns that shape our reality. We can start to recognize when negative thoughts arise and replace them with positive ones. We can also cultivate a sense of inner peace and stillness that allows us to remain centered even in the midst of chaos.

Eknath Easwaran’s idea that our thoughts shape our lives and our character is a powerful reminder of the importance of cultivating positive thoughts.

Idea 3: The key to happiness and freedom is self-control

At first glance, this statement may seem simple or even obvious. After all, most of us have been taught that self-control is important for achieving success and happiness in life. But what Easwaran is really talking about goes much deeper than just controlling your impulses or sticking to a diet.

Self-control is a fundamental aspect of spiritual growth and development. It is the ability to regulate our thoughts, emotions, and actions in a way that aligns with our highest values and goals. In other words, self-control is about having the power to choose our responses to the world around us rather than being driven by our reactions.

When we practice self-control, we become more aware of our thoughts and emotions. We learn to observe them without judgment or attachment, and we can choose how to respond to them in a way that is in line with our goals and values. This can lead to greater inner peace, happiness, and freedom.

Self-control is not about denying ourselves pleasure or avoiding difficult situations. It’s about cultivating the inner strength and resilience to face challenges with equanimity and grace. It’s about learning to live in a way that is authentic and aligned with our deepest values, rather than being driven by external pressures or expectations.

In “The Dhammapada,” the Buddha speaks of the importance of self-control in terms of overcoming the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion. These negative emotions are the root causes of suffering, and by practicing self-control, we can begin to loosen their grip on our minds and hearts.

Self-control is not a one-time accomplishment but a lifelong practice. It requires discipline, patience, and perseverance. But the rewards of this practice are immeasurable—greater inner peace, happiness, and freedom.

In essence, Eknath Easwaran’s statement that “The key to happiness and freedom is self-control” is not just a platitude or a cliché. It is a profound truth that has been recognized by spiritual teachers and seekers for thousands of years. By cultivating self-control, we can begin to live in a way that is more authentic, more aligned with our deepest values, and ultimately more fulfilling.

Idea 4: Our actions have consequences, both in this life and in future lives

Karma is the idea that every action we take has consequences. These consequences may be positive or negative, and they may be immediate or delayed. Karma is often thought of as a sort of cosmic justice system: if you do good things, good things will happen to you, and if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you. However, the idea of karma is much more complex than this simple cause-and-effect model.

In Buddhism, karma is seen as a sort of momentum that carries from one lifetime to the next. Every action we take, every thought we have, and every word we speak create an impression on our consciousness.

This impression, or “karmic residue,” shapes our future experiences. It’s not that good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people; it’s that people who do good things tend to create positive karmic residue, while people who do bad things tend to create negative karmic residue. This residue, in turn, shapes our future experiences.

This idea can be difficult to grasp, especially for people who have grown up in Western cultures that emphasize individualism and personal responsibility. We’re used to thinking of our lives as a series of isolated events, each with its own cause-and-effect relationship. But in Buddhism, everything is connected, and our actions have ripple effects that extend far beyond our immediate experiences.

The first step we can take to use this idea of karma to improve our lives is to become more mindful of our actions. Every time we act, we’re creating karmic residue that will shape our future experiences. By becoming more aware of our actions, we can start to create positive karmic residue that will lead to positive experiences in the future.

It’s also important to recognize that karma is not a punishment or a reward. It’s simply a natural law that governs the universe. There’s no cosmic judge keeping score, and there’s no way to cheat the system. The only way to improve our future experiences is to create positive karmic residue through positive actions.

It’s worth noting that karma is not a deterministic system. Just because we’ve created negative karmic residue in the past doesn’t mean we’re doomed to negative experiences in the future. We can always create new positive karmic residue by taking positive actions in the present. The past may influence the present, but it doesn’t determine the future.

That being said, we can conclude that the idea that our actions have consequences, both in this life and in future lives, is a powerful one. It reminds us that everything we do has an impact on our future experiences, and it encourages us to be more mindful of our actions. By creating positive karmic residue through positive actions, we can shape our future experiences in a positive way.

Idea 5: The root of suffering is desire and attachment

This is a profound idea that can be difficult to fully understand, so let’s unpack it together.

First, we need to understand what is meant by “desire.” Desire is not just wanting something; rather, it’s an insatiable longing for something that we believe will bring us happiness.

It can be material possessions, a certain status or position, or even a particular person. When we are consumed by desire, we often feel like we cannot be happy until we have what we desire.

Attachment, on the flip side, is when we become emotionally invested in something or someone. It’s when we hold onto things or people tightly, unable to let go even when it’s necessary. Attachment is often driven by the belief that the thing we are attached to is necessary for our happiness or well-being.

Desire and attachment are the roots of suffering because they create a never-ending cycle of wanting, grasping, and disappointment. When we desire something, we focus all our attention on getting it.

We might sacrifice our time, money, and even our relationships in pursuit of our desires. But even if we do eventually get what we want, the satisfaction is often temporary. We may feel happy for a little while, but soon enough, our desire will shift to something else, and the cycle starts all over again.

Attachment creates a similar cycle. When we become attached to something or someone, we fear losing it. We might become possessive, jealous, or controlling, which can damage our relationships. And when we do eventually lose what we are attached to, we feel intense grief and sadness. We might even become depressed or withdraw from the world around us.

But why can’t we just have desires and attachments in moderation? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Desire and attachment are often all-consuming, and it’s challenging to keep them in check. Additionally, they can blind us to the other things in life that are important, such as our relationships, our health, and our spirituality.

So, what’s the solution? According to Easwaran and the Buddhist philosophy he draws from, the answer is to cultivate detachment. Detachment does not mean we stop caring about people or things, but rather that we learn to let go of our need to possess or control them.

We learn to appreciate things for what they are rather than what they can do for us. This allows us to experience life fully without being constantly caught up in the cycle of desire and attachment.

And, yeah, I know, we all have desires and attachments, but when they become all-consuming, they can create a cycle of suffering. Knowing this, how about we try to cultivate detachment, break free from this cycle, and experience life more fully?

Idea 6: The path to liberation involves developing wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline

Wisdom, according to Easwaran, involves developing an understanding of the nature of reality and our place in it. This involves recognizing the impermanence of all things, including our own selves, and the interconnectedness of all beings. By cultivating wisdom, we can let go of our attachments and aversions and move towards a state of equanimity and inner peace.

The second element of the path to liberation is ethical conduct. This involves living in accordance with the principles of non-harm, honesty, and compassion. By acting ethically, we create positive karma and avoid negative consequences, both in this life and in future lives. Ethical conduct also helps cultivate a sense of inner integrity and harmony, which supports our spiritual growth.

And the last one is mental discipline, which is essential for achieving liberation. This involves training the mind to focus, concentrate, and remain steady, even in the face of challenges and distractions. Through meditation and other practices, we can develop the ability to observe our thoughts and emotions without getting caught up in them and cultivate a state of inner stillness and clarity.

Taken together, these three elements form a very powerful path towards spiritual growth and liberation. When we develop wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline, we can overcome our own suffering and contribute to the well-being of others.

As Easwaran writes, “The path to liberation is not easy, but it is possible.” “With effort and perseverance, we can gradually transform ourselves and move towards a state of lasting peace and happiness.”

Idea 7: The ultimate goal of Buddhist practice is to transcend the cycle of birth and death

This idea relates to the teachings of the Buddha and how they can help us achieve the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice: transcending the cycle of birth and death.

According to Buddhist philosophy, all sentient beings are trapped in a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This cycle, known as samsara, is perpetuated by our actions (karma) and our attachments to the physical world.

The goal of Buddhist practice, then, is to break free from this cycle and achieve enlightenment. Enlightenment is a state of perfect wisdom, compassion, and understanding that allows us to see the true nature of reality and transcend the limitations of our physical existence.

That’s all well and good, but how do we achieve enlightenment then? The Buddha taught that there are many paths to enlightenment, but they all involve the cultivation of wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline.

Wisdom involves understanding the nature of reality, including the impermanence and interconnectedness of all things. Ethical conduct involves living in accordance with the principles of non-harm, generosity, and compassion. And mental discipline involves training the mind to be calm, focused, and free from distractions.

Through the practice of meditation, mindfulness, and other techniques, we can gradually cultivate these qualities and move closer to enlightenment. As we do so, we begin to loosen the grip of our attachments and reduce the karmic burden that keeps us trapped in samsara.

Eventually, with enough practice and insight, we can break free from the cycle of birth and death altogether and achieve the ultimate goal of Buddhist practice: liberation, or nirvana.

Now, you may be thinking that this is easier said than done, and I agree with you. Achieving enlightenment requires a great deal of dedication, discipline, and patience. But by following the teachings of the Buddha and practicing with sincerity and perseverance, we can all move closer to this ultimate goal.

This idea reminds us that there is more to life than the daily grind of work and consumption, and that we all have the potential to achieve a higher state of consciousness and understanding.

Idea 8: The Buddha taught that all phenomena are impermanent and constantly changing

It can be hard to understand this idea because we usually think things will stay the same forever. We cling to the idea of permanence, seeking stability and security in a constantly changing world. But the Buddha’s teachings remind us that everything is in a state of constant transformation, from our thoughts and emotions to the physical world around us.

The concept of impermanence is not meant to be a depressing or negative idea. Instead, it is a reminder to live in the present moment and appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

When we are aware of the impermanence of things, we are less likely to become attached to them and less likely to suffer when they inevitably change or disappear.

For example, imagine you are sitting in a beautiful garden. The flowers are in full bloom, the sun is shining, and everything seems perfect. But if you sit there long enough, you will notice that the flowers are slowly wilting, the sun is moving across the sky, and the world is constantly changing.

This is a reminder that nothing in life is permanent, but that does not diminish the beauty of the moment.

The concept of impermanence can also be applied to our own lives. We often think of ourselves as being a fixed entity with a set personality, habits, and preferences. But the truth is that we are constantly changing and evolving. Our thoughts, emotions, and experiences shape us into different people over time.

If we accept that things don’t last forever, we can stop caring too much about them and focus on enjoying the present moment. We can appreciate the beauty of the world around us without becoming too attached to it. We can also learn to let go of negative thoughts and emotions, knowing that they too will pass.

Idea 9: Compassion and kindness towards all beings are central tenets of Buddhist ethics

The idea of compassion in Buddhism is rooted in the belief that all living beings suffer and that suffering should be alleviated whenever possible. This includes not only humans but also animals and other forms of life. Compassion involves putting oneself in the shoes of others and understanding their pain and struggles while also taking action to alleviate that suffering.

Kindness, on the other hand, involves treating all beings with respect and consideration, regardless of their status or background. It means acting in ways that promote the well-being of others rather than just oneself.

Together, compassion and kindness are seen as essential to living a life of peace and happiness and achieving the ultimate goal of enlightenment. They are also seen as keys to cultivating strong relationships with others and building a more just and compassionate society.

In “The Dhammapada,” the author emphasizes the importance of developing these qualities through mindfulness and meditation. If one focuses on one’s thoughts and actions and cultivates a deep sense of compassion and kindness, one can begin to transform oneself and the world around them.

Easwaran also notes that compassion and kindness are not just abstract ideals but qualities that can be actively practiced in daily life. This might involve volunteering at a local charity, donating to a cause one believes in, or simply taking the time to listen to someone who is struggling.

Idea 10: The practice of mindfulness is essential for developing insight and cultivating inner peace

At its most basic level, mindfulness simply means paying attention to the present moment without judgment or distraction. It involves being fully aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations as they arise and staying focused on the present rather than getting caught up in regrets about the past or worries about the future.

But why is this so important?

According to Easwaran, practicing mindfulness can help us develop greater insight into our own minds and the workings of the world around us. By paying close attention to our thoughts and emotions, we can begin to see patterns and tendencies that might otherwise go unnoticed.

We can learn to identify the sources of our stress and anxiety and develop strategies for coping with them more effectively.

Besides this practical benefit, Easwaran argues that mindfulness can also help us cultivate inner peace and a greater sense of interconnectedness with the world around us. When we are fully present in the moment, we are more open to experiencing the beauty and wonder of life as it unfolds around us. We become less preoccupied with our own worries and concerns and more attuned to the needs and feelings of others.

Yeah, yeah, I know, learning to be mindful can be challenging. In a world that is constantly bombarding us with distractions and demands on our attention, it can be difficult to stay focused on the present moment.

But Easwaran suggests that, with practice, anyone can learn to cultivate this skill. If you try to set aside regular periods of time for meditation or quiet reflection, you can train your mind to become more focused and attentive and experience the benefits of mindfulness more fully.

To sum it all up, the practice of mindfulness is a powerful tool for developing insight and cultivating inner peace. By learning to stay present in the moment and pay attention to our thoughts and emotions, we can gain a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us and experience a deeper sense of interconnectedness and joy in our lives.

So why not give it a try? Set aside some time each day to practice mindfulness, and see what insights and peace it can bring to your life.

Who is the book “The Dhammapada” by Eknath Easwaran recommended for?

If you’re looking to add some Buddha-full wisdom to your reading list, “The Dhammapada” by Eknath Easwaran might be just the ticket. This book is perfect for anyone who wants to get a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings, as well as those seeking inner peace and mindfulness in their lives.

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a newbie to the world of meditation, this book provides a clear and accessible roadmap for applying the Buddha’s teachings to your everyday experiences. So, if you’re ready to take a journey inward and discover the secrets of inner peace and enlightenment, “The Dhammapada” is the perfect place to start.

About the author

Eknath Easwaran (1910–1999) was an Indian-born spiritual teacher, author, and translator who dedicated his life to sharing the teachings of the world’s great wisdom traditions with a Western audience.

After earning a degree in English literature from the University of Nagpur, Easwaran taught at a number of universities before emigrating to the United States in 1959. He went on to establish the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the practice of meditation and the study of spiritual texts.

Easwaran was the author of numerous books on meditation, mindfulness, and the teachings of the Buddha and other spiritual masters, including “The Dhammapada,” “The Upanishads,” and “The Bhagavad Gita.” He is remembered for his clear and accessible writing style, his emphasis on the practical application of spiritual teachings in daily life, and his unwavering commitment to promoting peace, understanding, and compassion in the world.