WISDOM · DHAMMAPADA 178

A Deeper Kind of Knowing

Better than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven, better than lordship over all worlds, is the reward of the first step in holiness.

Dhammapada 178 · Chapter 13, The World · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “Better than sovereignty over the earth, better than going to heaven, better than lordship over all….” In its chapter, this image points toward seeing through distraction and appearance. 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

Ask: is this true, useful, and timely?