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A review by alok_pandey
The Dhammapada by
2.0
This is a simple read by all means. It belongs to the intellectual Shramanic tradition of Indian schools of philosophical thought whose raison d’être was to challenge the monopoly of the Brahmanic Philosophy which was exclusionary in nature, both in subject-matter and the language it was written in. Understandably, the sayings are simple and succinct.
For me, most of the parts made sense too. And why wouldn’t they? After experimenting with all the complexities in life during the centuries that followed these sayings, we have come to realised that true contentment is actually hiding in plain sight; in the simplest of the things.
My issue is that while the directives and observations can definitely resolve many of the knots modern life has created for us, much of the book suggests the path of escapism, which is a vice in itself. I mean, how does that separate us from mere animals after all, if the solution to deal with all your issues is to go aloof and all mendicant.
They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse.
Also, while Buddhism gave us the golden rule of Madhyam Marg(The Middle Path) or the virtue of moderation in life, many of the sayings hardly qualify the test, and suggest the extreme as ideal instead.
The man who wears dirty raiments, who is emaciated and covered with veins, who lives alone in the forest, and meditates, him I call indeed a Brahmana.
Nevertheless the tradition must be commended to take a different approach towards life and salvation in times of a strong reigning competitor.
For me, most of the parts made sense too. And why wouldn’t they? After experimenting with all the complexities in life during the centuries that followed these sayings, we have come to realised that true contentment is actually hiding in plain sight; in the simplest of the things.
My issue is that while the directives and observations can definitely resolve many of the knots modern life has created for us, much of the book suggests the path of escapism, which is a vice in itself. I mean, how does that separate us from mere animals after all, if the solution to deal with all your issues is to go aloof and all mendicant.
They lead a tamed elephant to battle, the king mounts a tamed elephant; the tamed is the best among men, he who silently endures abuse.
Also, while Buddhism gave us the golden rule of Madhyam Marg(The Middle Path) or the virtue of moderation in life, many of the sayings hardly qualify the test, and suggest the extreme as ideal instead.
The man who wears dirty raiments, who is emaciated and covered with veins, who lives alone in the forest, and meditates, him I call indeed a Brahmana.
Nevertheless the tradition must be commended to take a different approach towards life and salvation in times of a strong reigning competitor.