MEDITATION · DHAMMAPADA 43

Guarding Attention Gently

Not a mother, not a father will do so much, nor any other relative; a well-directed mind will do us greater service.

Dhammapada 43 · Chapter 3, Thought · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “Not a mother, not a father will do so much, nor any other relative.” In its chapter, this image points toward the restless mind and its capacity to be trained. 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

Notice a thought as an event rather than an instruction.