The seventeen verses of the Dhammapada chapter named 'Thirst' cover some of the most profound teachings in just a few words
Müller version
363. The Bhikshu who controls his mouth, who speaks wisely and calmly, who teaches the meaning and the law, his word is sweet.
378. The Bhikshu whose body and tongue and mind are quieted, who is collected, and has rejected the baits of the world, he is called quiet.
My 'paraphrased' version
A practitioner speaking with care and deliberation, and exemplifying beneficial practices through their efforts, is pleasing to others.
A practitioner living with a stilled mind, as a peaceful being, with a restrained tongue, and free from the mental suffering, they are called silent.
Commentary
We are all in our own unique unfolding life journey. And while we are guaranteed that certain things will happen such as old age, sickness, and death, other events will be revealed at the proper time.
It is very easy to get lost in a lifetime of reactiveness. Or have periods seeing all as hopeless and meaninglessness.
Throughout our entire time here, we are given a golden opportunity through our practice. A chance to stay perfectly afloat against the raging waters of our mind, body, and emotions. In each moment of our days and nights, it is practice time. It never truly ends -- the effort to control our mind, body, and speech through mindful observation of our inner/outer activities. Or being kind to others and ourselves. Or discovering what each of us individually need to do to live a mindful and fulfilled life. All we need to do is simply start our practice and keep at it.
Sending lovingkindness thoughts to all with intentions to practice, those that practice a little a lot or somewhere in-between, and those that have abandoned practice.
Story: Lessons
I woke up one day realizing that I was not sure why I was here on this planet and what lessons I was to learn. Uncertain where to start, I tried a little of everything and anything. I was hoping that this next best thing would be truly the one to give me the answer so desperately sought for. Sometimes there were insights. But more often, they would be fleeting or forgotten in a flash. Instead, all I had were more questions and aggravations. And after what already seemed to be a good portion of my life, frustration, serious doubts, and depression settled in.
All the time I kept thinking harmful thoughts like
"I will never find it. This is a worthless quest to even try. It is only something to pass the time. Why am I even doing this? There is NO overall purpose to my life. I am just doomed to wander with any relief in sight"
And I kept thinking this for some time. While being carried here and there by the currents of my mind. And that is all there was for a long time.
And one day, I saw nearby a Bhikkhuni, a female Buddhist nun. And I wondered why she seemed so composed and yet full of life. It was if she found something that might be helpful to me as well.
So I asked her if she had time to talk. She smiled and said she did. I was grateful and overwhelmed. What would I even ask here? Was it pure conceit to think that I was worthy enough to ask a question?
Sensing my concerns, she said simply, "Sometimes we cannot put into words a
proper question. It may be that we are trying to perfect our words before stating them. Sometimes we have so many conflicting thoughts hampering our efforts. But life really comes to two questions. WHO AM I? WHY AM I HERE? Tonight, I will not answer either of them. Because any answer would sound incomplete or unsatisfying. No doubt, this was true for you in the past when seeking answers. So, let us keep it simple. Start focusing your waking and sleeping moments on WHO AM I. Keep probing and inquiring. In time, answers to that and other questions will come.
She arose to leave and I thanked her. I am not sure if I had gained or had learned anything. But at least it was a possible pointer. So, I started living with WHO AM I? In time, learned that
- I was not my thoughts or feelings since they depart shortly after their arrival.
- I was not my body since it performed things some things without my control.
- I was not my circumstances since they were determined by a series of causes and conditions, some quite impersonal.
- The 'I concept' was just a convenient 'place' for 'me' to identify with, to help 'me' feel good, or wronged. But it was never ever satisfied.
And with each of these realizations, my mental load became a little lighter.
There are more lessons to learn. Or really unlearn. And with the arrival of another day they may come. Or they may not. But still I strive each time as an earnest student of my own life discovering what I need to.
Practice
The previous chapters offer various suggestions of practice. Here are some more a few may not be necessarily Buddhist-inspired.
1. Focusing on a question like WHO AM I? can be helpful in determining what really makes up our 'I-identity.'
2. If in a period of doubt and depression, then review what are the causes and conditions resulting in these feelings. Examine what makes these mental fictions so powerful. See if they have any impact of your body. Then say the words right for you designating that they have no hold.
3. Imagine how your life would be if you were confident, fearless, peaceful, content, or any other highly desired attribute. Now work backwards to figure how you can get there. Figure at least one thing that you can do differently. Then follow through on it. Believe and have the determination and faith that you will get there regardless whatever the day may bring
YOU ARE READING
Dhammapada Handbook
Non-FictionA new and unique look at the sayings of the Buddha as portrayed in the Dhammapada. This is done through including selected passages, paraphrasing public-domain translation, original short stories, plus real-world practices to reinforce the teaching.
