LETTING GO · DHAMMAPADA 99
Holding More Lightly
Forests are delightful; where the world finds no delight, there the passionless will find delight, for they look not for pleasures.
Dhammapada 99 · Chapter 7, The Venerable (Arhat). · trans. F. Max Müller · Read the full text at Project Gutenberg
Reflection
The verse begins, “Forests are delightful.” In its chapter, this image points toward freedom from compulsive grasping. Notice the difference between enjoying an experience and requiring it to provide lasting security. 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 are you gripping that could be held more lightly?