The Dhammapada (Pali धम्मपद, Sanskrit धर्मपद, Romanized Dharma-pada) is a collection of the historical Buddha's sayings in verse form. It is one of the most widely read and best-known Buddhist collections [1].
The famous Buddhist scholar-monk and commentator Buddhaghosa ("ghost or voice of the Buddha") explains that each saying recorded in the collection was made on a different occasion in response to a unique situation that had arisen in the life of the Buddha and the massive community of male and female monastics he founded.
Buddhaghosa's translation of the commentary to it, which is called the Dhammapada Aṭṭhakatha, presents the details of each of these events and is a rich source of legend for the life and times of the Buddha [2].
Levi's jeans corporation borrows a saying from the Buddha found in the Dhammapada.
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There are many translations.
ETYMOLOGY: The title "Dhammapada" is a compound term composed of dhamma and pada, each word having a numerous denotations and connotations. Generally, dhamma refers to the Buddha's "doctrine" or "eternal truth" or "righteousness" or is a collective term for all "phenomena" [3] or "things." At its root, pada means "foot" (or "footprint"); thus, by extension, especially in this context, means either "path" or "verse" (cf. prosodic foot) or both [4].
English translations of this text's title have used various combinations of these and related words [5, 6]. More
(Inside Politics) What just happened in the House Judiciary Committee was a blistering, evidence-driven rebuke of Attorney General Pam Bondi — and Congressman Jésus "Chuy" García left no doubt why he called her “one of the worst AGs in our history.”
I brownnose the right asses to get ahead. Jealous?
In this video we break down García’s specific allegations:
selective prosecutions,
weaponized DOJ priorities,
a heavy-handed immigration enforcement shift, and
disturbing claims that federal agents and local victims in Chicago were mishandled — including cases involving ICE and CBP.
García also pressed Bondi on the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein Files and alleged cover-ups that protected powerful figures tied to the Trump administration. He cited reporting from the Wall Street Journal, showing even the President Tryno privately criticized Bondi as "weak." He named local cases — including allegations around Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, René Good, and Alex Peretti — and a chilling example of a Montessori teacher, Marimar Martinez, who was reportedly labeled a domestic terrorist. This is not a partisan rant — García’s critique is supported by court outcomes, career prosecutor resignations, and pushback from conservative judges. Watch the full breakdown to understand the scope of the allegations, the legal and political stakes, and what this hearing could mean for DOJ accountability going forward.
(Alan Watts) The Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zhou (b. 300 BC), discussing Taoism, has a genuine sense of humor, which makes Western thinkers nervous.
(Wiki) Zhuang Zhou (Chinese 莊子, literally "Master Zhuang," Wade-Giles romanization Chuang Tzu [a]), was an influential Chinese philosopher who lived around the 4th century BCE during the Warring States period, a period of great development in Chinese philosophy, the Hundred Schools of Thought.
He is credited with writing—in part or in whole—a work known by his name, the Zhuangzi, which is one of two foundational texts of Taoism, alongside The Book of Changes (Tao Te Ching). More
Imagine loving [the tribal] God so much as to foster Foolishness for Christ: "Foolishness for Christ" (Greek διά Χριστόν σαλότητα, Church Slavonic оуродъ, юродъ) refers to behavior such as giving up all one's worldly possessions upon joining an ascetic order or spiritual/religious life, or deliberately flouting society's conventions to serve a religious purpose—particularly of Christianity.
Tao Te Ching is famous.
Such individuals have historically been known as both "holy fools" and "blessed fools." The term "fool" connotes what is perceived as feeblemindedness, and "blessed" or "holy" refers to innocence in the eyes of God [1].
The term "fools for Christ" derives from the writings of Paul the Apostle. Desert Fathers and other saints acted the part of Holy Fools, as have the yurodivy (or iurodstvo) of Christian Eastern Orthodox asceticism.
Fools for God or Christ often employ shocking and unconventional behavior to challenge accepted norms, deliver prophecies, or to mask their piety [2].
Modern Buddhist saint
The most Venerable Jumnien, Los Angeles (WQ)
[One is reminded of the modern Buddhist saintAjahn Jumnien (Jamnian.org) made famous by American Buddhist Jack Kornfield (spiritrock.com) in his early book Living Buddhist Masters, who is not taken seriously by most because he overdresses for the heat and carries too many amulets. But he does so, he explains, to disarm the authorities, rival Thai Forest Tradition schools, and local police, investigators, and doubters. Anyone who sees him behaving so foolishly cannot bring him or herself to really imagine his depth of personal wisdom and grasp of the Buddha's true Dhamma (Teaching, Message, Doctrine). He is amazingly humble, possessing abhinnapowers, the jhanas and their positive byproducts, plus a profound understanding of vipassana. He manages this exterior appearance because he comes from a familial line of Thai shamans. See more at Luang Por Jamnian Seelasettho. Saddhu 3x!]
Some ascetics are known as mendicants and are organized into mendicant orders. The most famous example in the Western church is the great Francis of Assisi (Spanish San Francisco), whose order was known for following the teachings of Christ and walking in his footsteps.
Thus, upon joining the order, Franciscans gave away all possessions [in a gesture exactly akin to Buddhist monasticism, sharing the color of monastic robes and other features] and focused on preaching in the streets to the common person. More
The Other Fools
Elina St-Onge, Collective Evolution, June 19, 2016 (sott.net)
What I show is just the tip
Who is more aligned with her path of spiritual evolution? A person in lotus posture, taking deep breaths, and sitting in perfect composure or a person curled up in a ball, hysterically hyperventilating, and crying?
If we base our answer on everything we have learned from New Age philosophies and most spiritual teachings out there, I think it's fair to say that the person meditating wins. S/he appears peaceful, at ease, equanimous, and detached, having let go.
I'm finally in touch with my feelings. It hurts.
Now I'm not about to shock readers. I say the opposite is true. But I would argue that this image is just that: an image. This is why:
Even the most peaceful, composed, and "spiritually correct" people in the world can be completely out of alignment with themselves, even more than those who aren't into spirituality at all. How come? Well, it's because of our tendency to be dishonest with ourselves.
Stay far away from fools, and instead associate with the wise
Avoiding fools and
Associating with the wise,
Giving respect to the deserving,
This is [among] life's highest blessings.
Sattigumba and Pupphaka
Asevanā ca bālānaṃ, paṇḍitānañca sevanā;
Pūjā ca pūjaneyyānaṃ
etaṃ maṅgalamuttamaṃ.
Maṅgala Sutra
That's a good bird! - Thank you, sir.
These lines verses from the "Blessings Sutra" uttered by the Buddha who was asked, “What is life's highest blessing?” He spoke of 38 blessings. However, this first verse is perhaps the most important. We are smart to distinguish the fools from the wise.
The Commentary to this verse explains: Fools commit unskillful karma (demeritorious deeds of body, speech, and mind).
The wise create skillful karma (meritorious deeds of body, speech, and mind). The wise develop virtue (sila, morality, ethical conduct).
Lay Buddhists keep Five Precepts, Eight Precepts on fasting (lunar observance) days, and Ten Precepts on retreat or during intensive practice). Monastics vow to adhere to 227 Precepts, including eight more for females who follow the garudhammas.
When a wise person hears about or recollects the Five Precepts, or a wise monastic hears about or calls to mind the 227 Precepts, that person becomes happy.
When one hears of the unskillful karma created by breaking precepts, one becomes happy because of not having broken those precepts and knowing that bad karmic results (resultants and fruits or vipaka and phala) will be avoided.
When one hears of skillful karma due to virtue, one becomes happy, knowing that welcome results will come. This is true for "wise" people, according to the Bālapaṇḍita Sutra (MN 129).
I'm not a fool. I'm drunk -- and loving it. 🤢🤮
Fools (bāla) are described in the same discourse:
Suppose a fool is sitting in a council hall, street, or crossroads, where people are discussing what is proper and suitable. And suppose that fool is someone who kills living creatures, steals, engages in sexual misconduct, lies (deceives), and uses intoxicants that occasion negligence. That fool thinks:
"‘These people are discussing what is proper and fitting; those things are found in me, and I am seen in them!’
"This is the first kind of suffering and sadness a fool experiences in the present life.
"Those who fail to uphold the Five Precepts [which are useful for all humans of whatever religion or philosophy] for lay practitioners or 227 for monastics become fearful when they hear these precepts and the negative results from breaking them. They are called fools."
Actually, the ones who become afraid have some hints of wisdom, for they know they should change [so as to avoid future suffering].
I'm starting to think you might be a bad influence on me. - Shut the front door, Birdbrain.
.
It is the ones without fear who do not become afraid at all when hearing these things who are absolute fools. They are the most dangerous because they hold wrong views and act on them. They are dangerous because they believe the unskillful actions they do are actually skillful, and they spread these wrong views with others.
The Commentary to the Maṅgala Sutra, "The Discourse on Blessings," says that this is like a house on fire, burning: It easily spreads to neighboring houses.
Spiritual development starts with being morally wise. After morality is developed, one is capable of developing stillness of mind (samatha, samadhi).
Those who have developed stillness (samadhi, unification, concentration, coherence) have completed the second part of “being wise.”
The third part is to develop insight knowledge or vipassana. One must have the ability to focus, be calm, and remain still to develop insight knowledge. And one must have virtue (morality) to develop focus (non-distractedness).
That is why it is said that virtue, stillness, and wisdom (sīla, samādhi, and paññā), in this order and not in any other order, is the path to enlightenment.
The highest level of insight is the glimpsing or realization of nirvana (Pali nibbāna). And the highest level of attaining nirvana (while still alive) is full enlightenment or arahant knowledge.
While a person yet lives, this is called enlightenment with remainder because one is still experiencing the results of previous karma, while no longer accruing any new karma. All intentional actions at this point are called kriyas or "simple (functional) actions." They do not bear fruit. When one enters final nirvana or parinibbana, this is enlightenment without remainder.
An arhat (arahant) is someone in whom passion (greed and clinging), aversion (hatred and fear), and delusion (ignorance and wrong views) are completely destroyed without remainder. These are the noble ones who have laid down the burden, who have made an end of suffering and rebirth here and now.
Where do I ordain?
Wanting to practice a direct path to enlightenment free of all worldly distractions, many people ask where to ordain. To find a proper abbey, look for spiritually wise monastics. While this is difficult to discern by merely looking, morally wise monastics are easier to detect.
One cannot be spiritually wise without being morally wise. Therefore, start at a place where both the monastic rules (vinaya) and meditation are regarded as important.
Rotten apple
[In the West, one bad apple rots the entire barrel.] In addition to a burning house spreading fire to another, the Maṅgala Sutra Commentary speaks of rotten fish spreading rot to nearby objects.
One who ties up putrid fish
with blades of kusa grass
makes the kusa grass smell foul:
so it is in the following fools
(It 68, 9-12, Ja IV 435, 28-29, JaVI 236 4-5).
Maṅgala Sutra Commentary: In contrast, the commentary explains that if one were to wrap tagara jasmine flowers with leaves, those leaves would become wonderfully fragrant.
One who ties up tagara
with leaves [fallen from a tree]
makes the leaves sweetly fragrant:
So it is in following the wise
(It 68, 13-16, Ja IV 436, 1-2, Ja VI 236, 6-7).
Maṅgala Sutra Commentary: This is literally used to explain that whatever is near to us can easily “rub off” on us. Perhaps the best example of this is our language or accent.
Not long ago, if someone were from New York City or Long Island, one could easily tell by the way that person talked.
My father is from the Bronx, and everyone who hears him speak knows it. This is becoming a thing of the past because of TV and internet videos that are homogenizing us.
Think about it. Television and internet media affect us in deeply rooted and subconscious ways. They affect the way we speak without us realizing it. If they can affect the way we sound to others, why would they not impact our attitudes, beliefs, and morals without us realizing it?
As internet algorithms choose more and more polarizing and extreme material to present to us, those things will become a part of us. They become the new normal. They already have.
We are encouraged to associate or live with the wise, with those who are higher than us in terms of morality and wisdom. This is very important because it will be easy for this to rub off on us, such as the fragrance of flowers.
The twin parrots Buddhist birth story
The Sattigumba Jātaka is listed in the Commentaries quoted above to explain this point.
It is the tale of two parrots born as twins. A storm comes, and they are separated shortly after birth.
One bird is raised by a gang of thieves, the other by hermit wandering ascetics. The king comes across both parrots at different times. The first encounter is the bad parrot who speaks of stealing and killing, while the other speaks of sharing and kindness. The king is moved by the difference between the two.
This story may seem hard to believe, but we can find examples of parrots on YouTube that point this out. Believe it or not, many parrots are in need of shelter. Enter “parrot + a location” into a search engine and see the many organizations looking for new nests for their avian orphans.
The video above is about a rescued bird who lived with bad people and witnessed a terrible crime.
This parrot witnessed the murder of its owner. It became a key witness at the trial in the human world. Likewise, there are numerous channels with loving parrots who obviously had loving owners, such as this one:
Hey, give me a kiss. - Sure, 'bout time you asked. Hey, WTH? Why you you little love-blocker!
Hello? What the H do you want? - Les, is that U?
This post by Bhante, now edited by Wisdom Quarterly, is dedicated to Bhante’s cousin, Les Brodie, who died. He had a well-trained talking bird and told me about what a joy it was to have it. It had its own bike, and the bird would often pick up the house phone with its claw on the first ring and imitate his voice, “Hello? Uh huh...ummm...yes...uh huh…”
Apparently, sometimes his friends would have whole conversations with the bird without Les knowing it. He was a very special bird, and his person was not so bad either.
If we are parents, our children are our parrots. They are watching and listening whether we like it or not, and they will mimic and model themselves after us.
Moreover, WE are all talking birds, parroting whomever we follow and associate with. Those with whom we associate rub off on us like wrapping around stinky fish or fragrant flowers. So it is wise to be wise in choosing our associates.
Avoiding fools and
Associating with the wise,
Giving respect to those worthy of it,
This is life’s highest blessing.
Pa Auk Sayadaw student Bhante Subhuti (americanmonk.org), 4/22/22; Amber Larson and Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly orig. published June 3, 2024
(American Esoteric) Let us read from Black Elk Speaks as told to author John G. Neihardt, published in 1932. Black Elk, also known as Hehaka Sapa, was impressed by the visionary Northern Paiute religious leader Wovoka and his Ghost Dance of 1890, a Native American renewal movement.
Western conception of Man (Adam) and God (Yahoo) by Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel
Who created God? (The Buddha’s answer)
Gnostics know this proud god is no God.
Ego Podcast (Buddhism) Ever wonder, "Who created God?" or "Why am I here?" This video explores the Buddha’s profound perspective on these timeless questions.
The Buddha didn’t answer such inquiries with dogmas but invited spiritual seekers to look inward, emphasizing personal experience over intellectual speculation. Knowing-and-seeing is what is important, not more words and wonderment.
Discover how the Buddha’s teachings or Dharma guide us from intellectual questioning to self-awareness and existential clarity.
Learn why the Buddha discouraged endless questioning about theoretical matters and instead encouraged the pursuit of actual self-discovery, mindfulness, and inner transformation.
This journey is not about answers given by others but about finding the truth within ourselves.
[Yes, all things (dhammas) being impersonal, ultimately there is no-self, but what is there? There is, conventionally speaking, a dependently originated "self," and it is a fabrication of the Five Aggregates clung to as self. So there is a self conventionally but, ultimately, what is it but five ever-changing processes and not at all what it seems. From the inside, it feels real, but looked on dispassionately. It leads to freedom. But we have to let go of our preconceptions and watch mindfully to "see clearly" (vipassana), which is the result of insight meditation by a serene mind purified by the absorptions (jhanas).
Wise brahmas are nevertheless deluded, too.
The God (Maha Brahma) and Gods (brahmas) and gods (devas) all have origins and did not come out of nothing, nor can it rightly be said that they just always were. Karma (deeds bearing results) is the great divider and assigner; there are actions that result in rebirth as gods of all kinds, namely, samadhi ("stillness unifying the mind to superconsciousness"), which means gaining, developing, and mastering the meditative absorptions (jhanas), grounded in morality and virtue (sila) so as to bring about peace of mind free of remorse or worry. Then, when passing away, if one has mastered the absorption, one will be reborn in accordance with this very weighty skillful karma on a plane of existence corresponding to the level of that mastery. See the 31 Planes of Existence for details. Current deeds create future results. To the extent that we understand (have right view), will (intend), and accumulate actions, they will be foundations for our future experience. So in a sense everyone is creating his or her own future circumstances and fruitions.
Seeking answers to life’s deepest questions? The Buddha’s wisdom offers a path to self-discovery and liberation. Watch now, like, share, and subscribe for more profound insights. #Buddha #God #Truth #SelfAwareness #Mindfulness #Meditation #Enlightenment
Gary Larson (The Far Side); Ego Podcast (Buddhism), Jan. 20, 2025 (video); additional text by Dhr. Seven, Pat Macpherson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Trump adds Noem, Rubio, Stefanik to Cabinet, and Elon "DOGE" Musk | The Daily Show
(The Daily Show) Nov. 12, 2024: Jordan Klepper assesses Trump's growing cabinet of longtime ass-kissers: Kristi Noem, Lee Zeldin, and Elise Stefanik. Plus, Michael Kosta teaches Klepper how to buy male friends, just like Elon did with the president-elect. #DailyShow #Trump #ElonMusk
Trump’s insane cabinet taking shape, Jimmy interviews Marco Rubio, and the bigliest election moments
(Jimmy Kimmel Live)
Nov. 12, 2024: Pres. Genocide Joe and The Donald are having lunch at the White House tomorrow, Melania said no (no thanks or no f'ing way?) to meeting with Dr. Jill Biden, we’re starting to get an idea of what Season 2 of what “The Celebrity Appresident” would look like, the GOP is expected to win the House, Elon Musk is throwing his weight around, DJ is expected to name South Dakota Gov. Kristi "Dog Killer" Noem as secretary of homeland security, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, Fox & Friend Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense, and Jimmy gets an exclusive interview with Secretary of State nominee and former Trump critic Marco Rubio, Don Jr. has been taking a big victory lap and regaled a fellow big thinker named Charlie Kirk yesterday, and after what was the most dramatic campaign in modern American history we take a trip down Presidential Memory Lane. #Kimmel
(Saturday Night Live) SNL turns 50 by ribbing the Dems, GOP
Weekend Update: Trump scrolled Twitter during Jan. 6 - SNL. Oct. 5, 2024: Weekend Update anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che tackle the week's biggest news, like it being released that Trump was scrolling Twitter during January 6, Elon Musk attending a Trump rally and Trump not wanting to release his medical records. #SNL50 #NateBargatze #SNL
We're all getting ready for the big vice presidential debate since Trump is too afraid to face off with Kamala again, having lost so miserably last time while lying about and claiming "it's too late" for another one because people have already started voting. Maybe handsome Vance can advance the ticket because authentic human being and down home Midwesterner Timmy Walz to the bal... is going to trounce him and wrap it up for the Democrats while we vote Green and go for Jill Stein.
Jon Stewart: Trump is the opposite of who his supporters claim he is | The Daily Show
(The Daily Show) It's Monday and time for Jon Stewart to take over The Daily Show and opine and mock and tease with satire and wit. #DailyShow #JonStewart #Trump #Kamala
Trump’s weekend of CRAZY outbursts, he calls Kamala mentally impaired, and Tim Walz vs. Mike MyPillow Lindell
(Jimmy Kimmel Live)
Sept. 30, 2024: The MLB postseason is about to begin, as of yesterday the Earth has a second moon that they’re calling a “mini-moon,” Trump was in Tuscaloosa Saturday to take in the Alabama-Georgia football game throwing food at fans, he spent the weekend saying a bunch of crazy stuff, a Congressional candidate named Derrick Anderson wanted to fit in with the JD Vance-approved model of a family value candidate, self-proclaimed Black Nazi Mark Robinson who is somehow still running for Governor of North Carolina, and we check in with Tim Walz (Andy Richter) from his home state of Minnesota with a special appearance from MyPillow Mike Lindell (James Adomian). #Kimmel
Harris and Trump rallies cold open - SNL
(Saturday Night Live) Sept. 28, 2024: #1 on Trending
News anchor David Muir (Andrew Dismukes) checks in with Kamala Harris (Maya Rudolph), Tim Walz (Jim Gaffigan), Doug Emhoff (Andy Samberg), Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson), JD Vance (Bowen Yang) and Joe Biden (Dana Carvey) at Harris' and Trump's campaign rallies.
Saturday Night Live. Stream now on Peacock: pck.tv/3n1IyzK
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