MINDFULNESS · DHAMMAPADA 194

The Strength of Awareness

Happy is the arising of the awakened, happy is the teaching of the True Law, happy is peace in the church, happy is the devotion of those who are at peace.

Dhammapada 194 · Chapter 14, The Buddha (The Awakened) · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “Happy is the arising of the awakened, happy is the teaching of the True Law, happy….” In its chapter, this image points toward awakening as a lived discipline. 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

Let one sound remind you to return to the body.