EVERYDAY LIFE · DHAMMAPADA 290

Practice in Ordinary Moments

If by leaving a small pleasure one sees a great pleasure, let a wise man leave the small pleasure, and look to the great.

Dhammapada 290 · Chapter 21, Miscellaneous · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “If by leaving a small pleasure one sees a great pleasure, let a wise man leave….” In its chapter, this image points toward finding the teaching in mixed, everyday circumstances. It also makes practice relational: the people you listen to can strengthen or weaken your best intentions. 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 small action could make your values visible today?