EVERYDAY LIFE · DHAMMAPADA 296

What Your Actions Carry

The disciples of Gotama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are always set on Buddha.

Dhammapada 296 · Chapter 21, Miscellaneous · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “The disciples of Gotama (Buddha) are always well awake, and their thoughts day and night are….” In its chapter, this image points toward finding the teaching in mixed, everyday circumstances. 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

Practice without announcing it in one moment today.