WISDOM · DHAMMAPADA 62

Beyond Blame and Praise

These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me," with such thoughts a fool is tormented. He himself does not belong to himself; how much less sons and wealth?

Dhammapada 62 · Chapter 5, The Fool · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg

Reflection

The verse begins, “These sons belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me," with such thoughts a fool….” In its chapter, this image points toward humility about what we know. 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

What fact are you avoiding because it is uncomfortable?