Without knowledge there is no meditation, without meditation there is no knowledge: he who has knowledge and meditation is near unto Nirvana.Dhp 25.372 · Dhammapada · The Bhikshu (Mendicant)
Buddhism
1 sacred text · 405 passages
The Buddhism scriptures in this library are Dhammapada. Every passage is indexed to its citation and searchable alongside the other five traditions, so a question asked here can be asked of all of them at once.
Search every tradition at once
Ask a question in your own words and see how six traditions answer it.
Texts
What these scriptures return to
On wisdom
Through zeal knowledge is gotten, through lack of zeal knowledge is lost; let a man who knows this double path of gain and loss thus place himself that knowledge may grow.Dhp 20.282 · Dhammapada · The Way
Fools follow after vanity, men of evil wisdom. The wise man keeps earnestness as his best jewel.Dhp 2.26 · Dhammapada · On Earnestness
How other traditions treat wisdom →
On desire
From lust comes grief, from lust comes fear; he who is free from lust knows neither grief nor fear.Dhp 16.214 · Dhammapada · Pleasure
He who having got rid of the forest (of lust) (i.e. after having reached Nirvana) gives himself over to forest-life (i.e. to lust), and who, when removed from the forest (i.e. from lust), runs to the forest (i.e. to lust), look at that man! though free, he runs into bondage.Dhp 24.344 · Dhammapada · Thirst
Cut down the whole forest (of lust), not a tree only! Danger comes out of the forest (of lust). When you have cut down both the forest (of lust) and its undergrowth, then, Bhikshus, you will be rid of the forest and free!Dhp 20.283 · Dhammapada · The Way
How other traditions treat desire →
On nature
Cut down the whole forest (of lust), not a tree only! Danger comes out of the forest (of lust). When you have cut down both the forest (of lust) and its undergrowth, then, Bhikshus, you will be rid of the forest and free!Dhp 20.283 · Dhammapada · The Way
Men, driven by fear, go to many a refuge, to mountains and forests, to groves and sacred trees.Dhp 14.188 · Dhammapada · The Buddha (The Awakened)
He who having got rid of the forest (of lust) (i.e. after having reached Nirvana) gives himself over to forest-life (i.e. to lust), and who, when removed from the forest (i.e. from lust), runs to the forest (i.e. to lust), look at that man! though free, he runs into bondage.Dhp 24.344 · Dhammapada · Thirst
How other traditions treat nature →
On dharma
Let no one forget his own duty for the sake of another's, however great; let a man, after he has discerned his own duty, be always attentive to his duty.Dhp 12.166 · Dhammapada · Self
Rouse thyself! do not be idle! Follow the law of virtue! The virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.Dhp 13.168 · Dhammapada · The World
Follow the law of virtue; do not follow that of sin. The virtuous rests in bliss in this world and in the next.Dhp 13.169 · Dhammapada · The World
How other traditions treat dharma →
On liberation
These wise people, meditative, steady, always possessed of strong powers, attain to Nirvana, the highest happiness.Dhp 2.23 · Dhammapada · On Earnestness
Health is the greatest of gifts, contentedness the best riches; trust is the best of relationships, Nirvana the highest happiness.Dhp 15.204 · Dhammapada · Happiness
A wise and good man who knows the meaning of this, should quickly clear the way that leads to Nirvana.Dhp 20.289 · Dhammapada · The Way
How other traditions treat liberation →
On death
And he who lives a hundred years, not seeing the immortal place, a life of one day is better if a man sees the immortal place.Dhp 8.114 · Dhammapada · The Thousands
Earnestness is the path of immortality (Nirvana), thoughtlessness the path of death. Those who are in earnest do not die, those who are thoughtless are as if dead already.Dhp 2.21 · Dhammapada · On Earnestness
Not in the sky, not in the midst of the sea, not if we enter into the clefts of the mountains, is there known a spot in the whole world where death could not overcome (the mortal).Dhp 9.128 · Dhammapada · Evil
How other traditions treat death →
Themes in Buddhism
WisdomDesireNatureDharmaLiberationDeathSinLoveSelf-ControlTruthJoyKarmaStrengthTemptationGriefLeadership