SELF-KNOWLEDGE · DHAMMAPADA 19
What We Practice Becomes Us
The thoughtless man, even if he can recite a large portion (of the law), but is not a doer of it, has no share in the priesthood, but is like a cowherd counting the cows of others.
Dhammapada 19 · Chapter 1, The Twin-Verses · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “The thoughtless man, even if he can recite a large portion (of the law), but is….” In its chapter, this image points toward intention and the way thought conditions action. It locates the turning point before outward action, in the quality of attention you repeatedly cultivate. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
What are you asking of others that you can first practice yourself?