Commentaries on the Dhammapada

One of the ancient texts of the Pali Canon of Buddhism, the Dhammapada has a revered place among the noted scriptures of the world. It is quite special in its focus on the practical implementation of the Buddhas teachings in daily life, through the examination and self-control of ones thoughts, words and deeds. "Dhamma" is sometimes translated as "virtue," but in the deeper sense it is the innate law of life. "Pada" means "footstep" or path. The Dhammapada is not so much a religious text as a text of practical psychology for those wishing to undertake an inner, spiritual discipline to change their lives. The Buddha broke out of the conventions of his time in order to speak to the condition of mankind and provide a path toward liberation from the wheel of birth, death and karma, the chain of consequences. The Khammapada encapsulates his basic teachings and provides guidelines for gaining insight and an understanding that goes beyond any single teaching or religion. One of the "great books" of humanity, the Dhammapada can provide benefit to seekers from any philosophic or spiritual path with its timeless non-sectarian wisdom. The present edition is especially valuable as it contains an English translation that is at once clean and concise, while also filled with a spiritual sense and meaning in the reader a sense of the reverence and spiritual aspiration that truly resides in the text. The commentaries are by the Mother, who was the spiritual collaborator of Sri Aurobindo and the spiritual guide of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram for many years