SELF-KNOWLEDGE · DHAMMAPADA 20
Seeing Your Intention
The follower of the law, even if he can recite only a small portion (of the law), but, having forsaken passion and hatred and foolishness, possesses true knowledge and serenity of mind, he, caring for nothing in this world or that to come, has indeed a share in the priesthood.
Dhammapada 20 · Chapter 1, The Twin-Verses · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “The follower of the law, even if he can recite only a small portion (of the….” In its chapter, this image points toward intention and the way thought conditions action. The practical question is whether replaying injury protects you or keeps the injury active. Because this is a historic English translation, test the teaching in experience rather than treating its wording as a demand for belief.
Practice prompt
Which repeated thought deserves less authority?