Dhammapada Verse One: Mind Precedes All Things

Manopubbaṅgamā dhammā, manoseṭṭhā manomayā; manasā ce paduṭṭhena, bhāsati vā karoti vā, tato naṃ dukkhamanveti, cakkaṃva vahato padaṃ.

Video #1 in my series on the Dhammapada, a set of verse teachings of the Buddha, including explanation of the Pali verse, a synopsis of the background story and application of the teaching to our practice.

For more information the dhammapada:

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/dpreface.htm

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[License2Bill]

I'm not sure that buddhism is right for me. I have learned a lot and I am certainly a lot happier now than I was before I begun meditating several months ago, but I feel that buddhism, like many religions, is full of dubious stories. Why believe these tales such as the tales of the blind man when there is no proof of their truthfulness? I understand the messages behind the stories but if they have no basis in reality then reciting them seems to be a complete opposite to the buddhist practice.

[yuttadhammo]

@License2Bill interesting logic, but I think it misses the point... whenever we tell something that we have heard, we do it without proof. To say therefore that it has no basis in reality is a bit of a leap. If we trust the person we heard it from, it seems reasonable to believe it. Further, when, as is the case here, the factuality of the story bears little importance in regards to the reason for telling it, it seems unwarranted to even speculate. Why doubt in the first place?

[amnesiac2482]

a meditator who got sick? I thought you said in the last video that someone who meditates wont get sick?

[yuttadhammo]

@amnesiac2482 I think you thought mistakenly... meditation can help with certain sicknesses, but if, as was the case here (though I didn't go into that part of it), the illness has a karmic basis, there isn't much one can do to avoid it.

[JRayChannel]

This is a great idea, please keep going with this series.

[Shadeslayerintown]

@yuttadhammo Can't find words to convey my gratitude expressively but in my mind, the kamma has already taken place. There are people who benefit from these videos including me and it is a privilege to listen to Shakyamuni's teachings through you.

Buddhistly,

Bharath

[Indika007]

@License2Bill Meditation not all about buddhism. Actually Buddhism is understanding of four noble truth. Forget about the stories start from here...

[rachgoesviral]

Thank you so much for this series of videos. It is exactly what I'm looking for. I have been reading the Dhammapada but my lack of knowledge of the context had limited my understanding. This has helped me greatly. Your teachings have inspired me to develope a daily meditation routine and study the Buddha's words in depth. Thank you. All the best to you.

[majorkoo]

Satu Satu Satu _/\_

[JrDiNisi]

@JrDiNisi What of the Sutta where Venerable Sona strove very hard and decided to quit, but the Buddha asked him about what he had done in his past, that he was a lute player, then the buddha taught about the string being too loose or too tight, but just right, the middle way, the string plays best.

[JrDiNisi]

My question is this.. Is the Dhamma not following the middle way? and is not sleeping and allowing your body to be destroyed something Gotama tried for many years only to abandon?

I understand that it is good the monk did not have any attachment to his sight, however I don't see how practicing with extreme measures would be really helpful.

[prideandjoy21]

what is an impure heart?

[jbearden]

You may do something that many consider to be "good". But, if mind is not pure, this act brings us nothing but troubles.  Troubles, that have not even been yet born, arise and follow the impure mind.

[Yesica1993]

@License2Bill Absolutely right. If there is no evidence for something, then why should we choose to believe it?

[tblong83]

Thanks



[Juanster23]

That tale of the monk who lost his eyes reminds me of a story that Ajahn Chah spoke of. One time in the forest a storm came and the strong winds destroyed the roof of a kuti one of the monks was staying in. After a few days Ajahn Chah noticed the monk had not repaired the roof. When he asked the monk why he hadn't done anything about the roof, the monk replied that he was practicing not clinging to the roof. Ajahn Chah goes on to say that that monk is practicing not clinging but without wisdom.