The Dhammapada are wise sayings contained in the sacred scriptures used in Theravada Buddhism known as the Pali Tipitaka (Buddharakkhita 2). The Theravada Buddhism believers believe that Buddha originally spoke each verse of the Dhammapada in a single special occasion (Buddharakkhita 2). The Dhammapada can be applied as a sympathy counselor, inspiration towards humility and a reference for instruction (Buddharakkhita 2). One of the most significant Dhammapada is that which encourages individuals to avoid evil and cultivate good and to cleanse one’s mind (183) (Buddharakkhita 51). Both good and evil can be cultivated in one’s mind. Therefore, in order for one to have good thoughts created in their mind, they should rid themselves of situations that can contaminate the mind with evil. Other significant Dhammapada are the ones that encourage people to guard themselves against irritability in bodily action (231), speech (232) and thought (233) (Buddharakkhita 59). It is important for an individual to be self-controlled in his or her actions, words and thoughts.
The relationship between monks and lays is that a lay Buddhist only learns of the teachings of Buddhism from the monk while the monk can only receive material help from the layman. This is to say the monk cannot learn anything from the lay Buddhist
Nuns like monks are meant to dedicate their lives in the carrying out and the spreading of the teachings of the Dhammapada (Buddharakkhita 6,16).
One of the similarities that exist between the Buddhist Puja and the Hindu Puja is that they both apply the use of the mind in meditation to pursue a greater reflection of a higher truth.
Shamatha and Vipassana meditation are forms of meditations applied in worship amongst the Buddhist religion. Shamatha meditations seek the peacefulness of the mind while Vipassana meditation seeks clarity and purity of insight.
Works Cited
Buddharakkhita, Acharya. The Dhammapada: The Buddha's Path of Wisdom. Kandy Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society, 1985.
