Dhammapada (Oxford World's Classics) Paperback – 9 October 2008

I have six or more translations of the Dhammapada, including the much larger version by the same authors. This one is nice for carrying around, and it has some new details in it as well in the introduction and the notes. Other versions are worth consulting, but this one to me is the clearest. For example the phrase in this version "absence of enmity" is translated as the word "love" in other versions. Nothing against love, but the word love does not do much for me other than suggest the idea of trying to conjure up an emotion that doesn't last very long. I find "absence of enmity" to be much more specific, something I can relate to. And it is more congruent with the Buddha's overall teachings about calmness.Also, in the first verse we learn about the relation between our perceptions and our mental states. This is what mindfulness is all about. Other versions just simply did not get this point across to me. But, again, other versions are worth comparing, especially the translation by Glenn Walliis which is very close to the version above. Wallace has wonderful commentary in his "Guide To Reading The Text", which is the second half of his book.

The reviews of these authors' version of the Dhammapada on Amazon have got very jumbled up.The Amazon review provided under 'Product Information' at the beginning of the page about the short Oxford World's Classics edition is very misleading. It states:"Carter and Palihawadana have not only proivde [sic] a fresh English translation of the Pali but a transliteration of the Dhammapada"This is NOT true - there is no transliteration of the Pali text in that particular edition. The fuller edition, of over 500 pages, does have a transliteration of the Pali text.To add to the confusion, my review, which you are reading now, has been attached by Amazon to the shorter OUP edition AND the full edition with transliteration.

A very clear and open book on many of the most pivotal and wise sayings of the Buddha. This is a great reference to have.

Kindle customers, please note that all the customer reviews are based on the printed editions, not the Kindle edition. The Kindle addition does not contain the Pali transcription. Also, the notes are marked by asterisks in the Kindle text, with no way to link to the corresponding numbered note at the end of the book. If you're just looking for an excellent translation, this is one of them.

Profound insight