Dhammapada (Radhakrishnan translation)
Encyclopedia
The Dhammapada: With introductory essays, Pali text, English translation and notes is a 1950 book written by philosopher and (later) President of India
, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
(1888–1975), about the Dhammapada
, an important Buddhist scripture. Originally published in 1950 by Oxford University Press
, the book has been republished numerous times by the same publisher, most recently in 1997. A 2007 Indian edition was published by Pilgrims Publishing
. The book has been reviewed in several professional journals. All editions have had 194 pages and have used the same title.
Dhammapada contains original Pali
text as well as English translations of the Dhammapada's
26 chapters. It begins with a preface composed in 1950 in which Radhakrishnan states that
The preface also states that
Next is a 57-page introduction that is divided into two main sections. The first introductory section, less than 3 pages in length, is entitled simply "The Dhammapada," and briefly summarizes the Dhammapadas historical context, noting that its verses connect with incidents in the Buddha's life "and illustrate the method of teaching adopted by him." The second section, entitled "Gautama the Buddha," has several subsections:
Also in the fifth section, Radhakrishnan offers his interpretation of three "inadequacies" or "exaggerations" in the Buddha's thought, which "revealed themselves in [Buddhism's] later history and relation to Hinduism." These are that i) "Philosophy is a natural necessity of the human mind," and the Buddha's hearers were unable to adopt suspended judgement on the ultimate questions; ii) "The Buddha's conception of dharma
as the absolute reality was not sufficiently concrete for practical purposes"; and iii) The Buddha taught that one could renounce householder duties at any age. Radhakrishnan states that these "exaggerations" are understandable if we realize that in the Buddha's time, attempts to lead the spiritual life had to contend with "three great enemies... the theologians, the ritualists, and the worldlings."
The largest part of the book (pp. 58–187) consists of a romanized transliteration of the original Pali
text, plus a verse-by-verse English translation. Two examples are shown in the table at right. Many verses are augmented with footnotes or are followed by commentary, presented in a smaller font size than the verses themselves. The book concludes with a short selected bibliography, a 4-page Pali
index (indicating which verses contain a specified word), and a 2-page general index.
,
,
.
Ashby stated that "the distinct contribution of this volume is the Introduction," where "Radhakrishnan
sets out in clear and penetrating fashion to give the reader a basic understanding of the thought-world in which Buddhist ethical teaching moves. His discussion of the relation of the teachings of the Buddha to the Upanishads and his examination of the metaphysical views
of Sakyamuni
will prove valuable ... [and his] insistence upon the positive nature of the Buddhist conception of Nirvana
is recommended reading for... victims of the 'annihilation-extinction' theory of Nirvana."
Horner noted that the same Pali word is translated differently by Radhakrishnan in different places. "Pali
technical terms are, of course, recognized to contain a subtle variety of meanings. Some of these will be appreciated by anyone making... the reasonably intensive study of this volume which it deserves as well as makes possible." For example, "Professor Radhakrishnan translates dhamma
in the text by 'virtue' and by 'law.... Thus, asava
is rendered by 'passions', 'taints', 'impurities', and... Samadhi
is usually 'tranquillity', once (ver. 271) 'meditative calm'."
Brough described the book as "a convenient presentation of the Pali text, and... a useful introduction to the work for beginners in Pali," although "a comprehensive textual study in the light of the Tibetan and Central Asian parallel verses is still awaited."
In the journal Philosophy
, Stede stated that "On the whole, the translation is clear and accurate." She added that the translated verses are "frequently... supplemented by explanations taken from the early commentator Buddhaghosa
and by comparative passages selected from philosophical and theological texts of East and West. Although perhaps too numerous, these extraneous references give evidence of the translator's wide learning."
President of India
The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , OM, FBA was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was the first Vice President of India and subsequently the second President of India ....
(1888–1975), about the Dhammapada
Dhammapada
The Dhammapada is a versified Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha himself. It is one of the best-known texts from the Theravada canon....
, an important Buddhist scripture. Originally published in 1950 by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
, the book has been republished numerous times by the same publisher, most recently in 1997. A 2007 Indian edition was published by Pilgrims Publishing
Pilgrims Publishing
Pilgrims Book House - is a publishing company founded in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1991. It was transformation from the Book Faith India . Now headquartered in Varanasi.Pilgrims Book House have books in English, Polish, French, Spanish and Hindi languages...
. The book has been reviewed in several professional journals. All editions have had 194 pages and have used the same title.
Outline of book
Radhakrishnan'sSarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , OM, FBA was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was the first Vice President of India and subsequently the second President of India ....
Dhammapada contains original Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
text as well as English translations of the Dhammapada's
Dhammapada
The Dhammapada is a versified Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha himself. It is one of the best-known texts from the Theravada canon....
26 chapters. It begins with a preface composed in 1950 in which Radhakrishnan states that
To-day... We have come to recognize that it is either one world or none. The effort to build one world requires a closer understanding among the peoples of the world and their cultures. This translation of the DhammapadaDhammapadaThe Dhammapada is a versified Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha himself. It is one of the best-known texts from the Theravada canon....
... is offered as a small contribution to world understanding. The central thesis of the book, that human conduct, righteous behaviour, reflection, and meditationMeditationMeditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
are more important than vain speculations about the transcendent - has an appeal to the modern mind.... Books so rich in significance... require to be understood by each generation in relation to its own problems.
The preface also states that
[The Dhammapadas] teaching - to repress the instincts entirely is to generate neuroses; to give them full rein is also to end up in neuroses - is supported by modern psychologyHistory of psychologyThe history of psychology as a scholarly study of the mind and behavior dates back to the Ancient Greeks. There is also evidence of psychological thought in ancient Egypt. Psychology was a branch of philosophy until the 1870s, when psychology developed as an independent scientific discipline in...
.
Next is a 57-page introduction that is divided into two main sections. The first introductory section, less than 3 pages in length, is entitled simply "The Dhammapada," and briefly summarizes the Dhammapadas historical context, noting that its verses connect with incidents in the Buddha's life "and illustrate the method of teaching adopted by him." The second section, entitled "Gautama the Buddha," has several subsections:
- I. Life (pp. 4-15). Contains a biographical outline of the Buddha's early life, marriage, renunciation, search for and encounter with truth, founding of his order, some major manners and themes of his teaching, and passing away. Notes that "the Buddha was more definitely opposed to Vedic orthodoxy and ceremonialism than was Socrates to the State religion of Athens, or Jesus to Judaism, and yet he lived till eighty.... Perhaps the Indian temper of religion is responsible for the difference in the treatment of unorthodoxies."
- II. The Four Truths (pp. 15-26). Describes the Four Noble TruthsFour Noble TruthsThe Four Noble Truths are an important principle in Buddhism, classically taught by the Buddha in the Dharmacakra Pravartana Sūtra....
taught in Buddhism, that 1) sorrow (duhkha) is pervasive in life as we know it, 2) Sorrow has a cause (samudaya), 3) sorrow can be removed (nirodha), and there is a path (margaNoble Eightfold PathThe Noble Eightfold Path , is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion...
) beyond sorrow, the Eightfold PathNoble Eightfold PathThe Noble Eightfold Path , is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion...
. - III. The Buddha and the Upaniṣads (pp. 26-35). "Gautama the Buddha," Radhakrishnan argues, "has suffered as much as anyone from critics without a sense of history. He has been cried up, and cried down, with an equal lack of historical imagination." He explains that "To know what the Buddha actually taught or what his earliest followers thought he did, we must place ourselves in imagination in the India of the sixth century B.C.... Great minds make individual contributions of permanent value to the thought of their age; but they do not, and cannot, altogether transcend the age in which they live.... Even when they are propounding answers which are startlingly new, they use the inadequate ideas and concepts of tradition to epress the deeper truths towards which they are feeling their way." He quotes the Buddha as stating that "'there are... four truths of the BrāhminsBrahminBrahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
which have been realized by me... and made known" stating that the Buddha's teaching "is derived" from the Upaniṣads. - IV. Metaphysical Views (pp. 35-52). Notes that "the Buddha discouraged doctrinal controversies as prejudicial to inward peace and ethical striving." Discusses attempts to view the Buddha as adhering to various metaphysicalMetaphysicsMetaphysics is a branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the fundamental nature of being and the world, although the term is not easily defined. Traditionally, metaphysics attempts to answer two basic questions in the broadest possible terms:...
positions, especially 1) agnosticismAgnosticismAgnosticism is the view that the truth value of certain claims—especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims—is unknown or unknowable....
, 2) atheismAtheismAtheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities...
, or 3) belief in a "transempirical reality in the universe" and a "time-transcending element in the self." Argues that the third interpretation (belief in a transempirical reality) is most consistent with what is known of the Buddha. - V. Spiritual Absolutism (pp. 52-57). Here, Radhakrishnan states that "The tradition of teaching by silence has been an ancient one in India," and argues that "If the Buddha declined to define the nature of this absolute or if he contented himself with negative definitions, it is only to indicate that absolute being is above all determinations. It is difficult to differentiate this supreme being from the Absolute BrahmanBrahmanIn Hinduism, Brahman is the one supreme, universal Spirit that is the origin and support of the phenomenal universe. Brahman is sometimes referred to as the Absolute or Godhead which is the Divine Ground of all being...
of Advaita VedantaAdvaita VedantaAdvaita Vedanta is considered to be the most influential and most dominant sub-school of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy. Other major sub-schools of Vedānta are Dvaita and ; while the minor ones include Suddhadvaita, Dvaitadvaita and Achintya Bhedabheda...
or the super-God of Christian mysticismChristian mysticismChristian mysticism refers to the development of mystical practices and theory within Christianity. It has often been connected to mystical theology, especially in the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions...
as formulated in the writings of the pseudo-DionysiusPseudo-Dionysius the AreopagitePseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, also known as Pseudo-Denys, was a Christian theologian and philosopher of the late 5th to early 6th century, the author of the Corpus Areopagiticum . The author is identified as "Dionysos" in the corpus, which later incorrectly came to be attributed to Dionysius...
." "The Buddha's reasons for his silence are quite intelligible," states Radhakrishnan, and he enumerates five motives for the Buddha's silence.
| Selected Verses, with Translation: Chapter I: Yamakavaggo (Twin Verses) Chapter XXI: Pakiņņakavaggo (Miscellaneous Verses) |
|
Pali (transliterated) |
|
| I.1. | manopubbaṅgamā dhammā manoseṭṭhā manomayā manasā ce paduṭṭhena bhāsati vā karoti vā tato naṁ dukkham anveti cakkaṁ va vahato padam [1] |
| XXI.1. | mattā-sukhapariccāgā passe ce vipula sukham caje mattā-sukhaṁ dhīro sampassaṁ viuplaṁ sukham [290] |
English translation (by Radhakrishnan) |
|
| I.1. | (The mental) natures are the result of what we have thought, are chieftained by our thoughts, are made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, sorrow follows him (as a consequence) even as the wheel follows the foot of the drawer (i.e. the ox which draws the cart). [1] |
| XXI.1. | If, by surrendering a pleasure of little worth one sees a larger pleasure, the wise man will give up the pleasure of little worth, and look to the larger pleasure. [290] |
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
as the absolute reality was not sufficiently concrete for practical purposes"; and iii) The Buddha taught that one could renounce householder duties at any age. Radhakrishnan states that these "exaggerations" are understandable if we realize that in the Buddha's time, attempts to lead the spiritual life had to contend with "three great enemies... the theologians, the ritualists, and the worldlings."
The largest part of the book (pp. 58–187) consists of a romanized transliteration of the original Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
text, plus a verse-by-verse English translation. Two examples are shown in the table at right. Many verses are augmented with footnotes or are followed by commentary, presented in a smaller font size than the verses themselves. The book concludes with a short selected bibliography, a 4-page Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
index (indicating which verses contain a specified word), and a 2-page general index.
Reception
The book has been reviewed in professional journals that include The Journal of ReligionThe Journal of Religion
The Journal of Religion is an academic journal published by the University of Chicago Press founded in 1882 as The American Journal of Theology. The journal "embraces all areas of theology as well as other types of religious studies ."...
,
Philosophy (journal)
Philosophy is the scholarly journal of the Royal Institute of Philosophy. It is designed to be intelligible to the non-specialist reader and has been in continuous publication for over 80 years. It is published by Cambridge University Press and is currently edited by Anthony O'Hear.-See also:* ...
,
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society is an academic journal which publishes articles on the history, archaeology, literature, language, religion and art of South Asia, the Middle East , Central Asia, East Asia and South-East Asia...
.
Ashby stated that "the distinct contribution of this volume is the Introduction," where "Radhakrishnan
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , OM, FBA was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was the first Vice President of India and subsequently the second President of India ....
sets out in clear and penetrating fashion to give the reader a basic understanding of the thought-world in which Buddhist ethical teaching moves. His discussion of the relation of the teachings of the Buddha to the Upanishads and his examination of the metaphysical views
Buddhist philosophy
Buddhist philosophy deals extensively with problems in metaphysics, phenomenology, ethics, and epistemology.Some scholars assert that early Buddhist philosophy did not engage in ontological or metaphysical speculation, but was based instead on empirical evidence gained by the sense organs...
of Sakyamuni
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
will prove valuable ... [and his] insistence upon the positive nature of the Buddhist conception of Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
is recommended reading for... victims of the 'annihilation-extinction' theory of Nirvana."
Horner noted that the same Pali word is translated differently by Radhakrishnan in different places. "Pali
Páli
- External links :* *...
technical terms are, of course, recognized to contain a subtle variety of meanings. Some of these will be appreciated by anyone making... the reasonably intensive study of this volume which it deserves as well as makes possible." For example, "Professor Radhakrishnan translates dhamma
Dharma (Buddhism)
Dhamma or Dharma in Buddhism can have the following meanings:* The state of Nature as it is * The Laws of Nature considered collectively....
in the text by 'virtue' and by 'law.... Thus, asava
Asava
Āsava is a Pali term that is used in Buddhist scripture, philosophy, and psychology. The glossary of the Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophydefines āsava/āśrava as:...
is rendered by 'passions', 'taints', 'impurities', and... Samadhi
Samadhi
Samadhi in Hinduism, Buddhism,Jainism, Sikhism and yogic schools is a higher level of concentrated meditation, or dhyāna. In the yoga tradition, it is the eighth and final limb identified in the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali....
is usually 'tranquillity', once (ver. 271) 'meditative calm'."
Brough described the book as "a convenient presentation of the Pali text, and... a useful introduction to the work for beginners in Pali," although "a comprehensive textual study in the light of the Tibetan and Central Asian parallel verses is still awaited."
In the journal Philosophy
Philosophy (journal)
Philosophy is the scholarly journal of the Royal Institute of Philosophy. It is designed to be intelligible to the non-specialist reader and has been in continuous publication for over 80 years. It is published by Cambridge University Press and is currently edited by Anthony O'Hear.-See also:* ...
, Stede stated that "On the whole, the translation is clear and accurate." She added that the translated verses are "frequently... supplemented by explanations taken from the early commentator Buddhaghosa
Buddhaghosa
Bhadantācariya Buddhaghoṣa（Chinese: 覺音）was a 5th-century Indian Theravadin Buddhist commentator and scholar. His best-known work is the Visuddhimagga, or Path of Purification, a comprehensive summary and analysis of the Theravada understanding of the Buddha's path to liberation...
and by comparative passages selected from philosophical and theological texts of East and West. Although perhaps too numerous, these extraneous references give evidence of the translator's wide learning."
Editions
Editions have been published in 1950, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1968, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1997, and 2007, and include:- VaranasiVaranasi-Etymology:The name Varanasi has its origin possibly from the names of the two rivers Varuna and Assi, for the old city lies in the north shores of the Ganga bounded by its two tributaries, the Varuna and the Asi, with the Ganges being to its south...
, India: Pilgrims PublishingPilgrims PublishingPilgrims Book House - is a publishing company founded in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1991. It was transformation from the Book Faith India . Now headquartered in Varanasi.Pilgrims Book House have books in English, Polish, French, Spanish and Hindi languages...
. (2007). ISBN 9788177695458, ISBN 8177695452, . - London: Oxford University Press (1997), The Dhammapada: With introductory essays, Pali text, English translation and notes, ISBN 9780195640809, ISBN 0195640802, .
- London: Oxford University Press (1950), The Dhammapada: With introductory essays, Pali text, English translation and notes
See also
- Radhakrishnan's The Principal Upanishads (book)The Principal Upanishads (book)The Principal Upanishads is a 1953 book written by philosopher and erstwhile President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , about the main Upanishads, which carry central teachings of the Vedanta. Originally published in 1953 by Harper, the book has been republished several times...
- Dhammapada (Easwaran translation)Dhammapada (Easwaran translation)The Dhammapada / Introduced & Translated by Eknath Easwaran is an English-language book originally published in 1986. It contains Easwaran's translation of the Dhammapada, a Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha himself...
External links
- Detailed word-by-word translation of the Dhammapada, including explanation of grammar