COMPASSION · DHAMMAPADA 139

Our Common Wish for Safety

Or a misfortune coming from the king, or a fearful accusation, or loss of relations, or destruction of treasures,

Dhammapada 139 · Chapter 10, Punishment · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “Or a misfortune coming from the king, or a fearful accusation, or loss of relations, or….” In its chapter, this image points toward recognizing that other beings fear pain as we do. Its value is practical when it changes how you meet one choice, relationship, or difficult feeling today. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.

Practice prompt

Make one person’s day slightly easier.