Just as there are many translations of the Christian Bible with virtues to be gained from studying each one, there are also many translations of this great Buddhist classic, "The Dhammapada" which Glenn Wallis subtitles "Verses on The Way" (The Path).

How shall we live our lives and walk the way in goodness? These 423 verses with Wallis' lucid commentary following are a good guide.

"A seeker will master this earth,
this world of death and radiant beings.
A seeker will gather a well-taught verse on the way,
as a skilled gardener gathers a flower."
--from chapter 4, Flowers

This book teaches us to: Commit not a single unwholesome action and cultivate a wealth of virtue. "So why not read the Dhammapada repeatedly, taking to heart its claim to be a revealer of treasures?" (from "A Note on the Translation")

Wallis' version with its delicate sense of language and fine mastery of the Buddha's teachings is an excellent version to take to heart.

--Janet Grace Riehl, author of "Sightlines: A Poet's Diary"

This is beautiful. What can I say? There are few sources of spiritual teachings as eloguent and full of truth as that taught by the Buddha.

The sayings are layed out in verse form. You could read one 4 line verse and meditate on it's meaning all day. They are profound thoughts, guaranteed to raise your spirit to a level much higher than the mundane.

Regardless of what your opinion might be on who or what the Buddha was, the lessons he's given us are priceless. If the world really did behave the way we are taught to we would have heaven on Earth.

Perhaps that was the lesson another fine religious leader was trying to give us...It is no coincidence that his teachings were also called "The Way."

peace to you all..