Dhammapada Research Paper

Throughout humanity’s history, our religions have given us a world view that, among other beneficial and harmful effects, has placated our horror to the reality that is life as we know it. Most religions have told us that if we worship a deity, behave in a certain way, and practice certain traditions that we will be selected to go to a place that is beyond the suffering of the world. Those who embrace religion in this way may be said to be softening the brutality of life by putting their hopes into an unperceived and intangible future - something promised but not yet proven. This is where Buddhism differs from the religions of the world, so much so that it becomes difficult to even term it a religion. Buddhism is meant to paint a truthful picture …show more content…
The personality of the Buddha has been passed down through the ages as the very personification of goodwill, compassion, hope, peace and serenity. It has been said that he was always smiling and had a wonderfully developed sense of humor. The Dhammapada, one of the most well-known records of the Buddha’s sayings, devotes a full chapter to joy. Obviously, this topic was of no small significance to the Buddha. Buddhism above all other religion is placed the highest emphasis on compassion. The Dhammapada also encourages Buddhists to celebrate with the sick, old and poor, and not to be discriminatory about who should receive their goodwill and virtuous actions. It is for reasons such as this that Buddhism has so often been characterized as being highly compassionate. The Buddha is also well known for being a guide, and not a dictator. He offers advice and guidance to his followers but does not seek to burden them with unnecessary commands and ritual. The Buddha is recorded as giving advice with predications such as “it is beholden to you”, as opposed to the classically Christian “thou shalt”. This elegance in the speech says volumes in and of itself to a compassionate …show more content…
In the simplest terms, it means that “all is one”, which is to say in the reality of life there is no distinction between the consciousness, the tongue, and the taste. All three of codependent for their existence, and so may be said to be the very same nature and existence. The word emptiness really does not suffice for bringing across this meaning, but only in the sense that our sense of personal identification - our ego - and our perceptions of the world as being compartmentalized and dissected into convenient parts is just an illusion. The reality to the Buddhist is that these concepts are meaningless and ultimately untrue. Every being and everything shares a nature with all that