Buddha’s Way of Virtue

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Buddha’s Way of Virtue

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

A poetic translation of the Dhammapada, this text offers timeless guidance on moral conduct and mental discipline. It presents the Buddha's teachings on self-mastery, the dangers of desire, and the path to spiritual clarity, inviting readers to build an inner kingdom of peace.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1912, *Buddha's Way of Virtue* presents the Dhammapada, a collection of the Buddha's sayings accepted as a handbook of devotion. The text argues that the world is impermanent and lacks intrinsic purpose, with true happiness found only in escaping the cycle of rebirth through self-control and wisdom. It contrasts the 'foolish' pursuit of sensory pleasures with the 'wise' path of ethical living, asserting that character is the only reality. The work addresses various social classes, promising higher chivalry to warriors, deeper wisdom to philosophers, and a purer bliss to mystics. Central themes include the law of retribution ('as you sow, so you reap'), the necessity of cutting out desire, and the attainment of Nirvana, described as a state of supreme rest and freedom from the tyranny of the flesh. The authors emphasize that salvation is an individual effort, requiring strenuous mind-culture rather than reliance on priests or sacrifices. The text serves as both a moral tonic and a practical guide for those seeking to master their minds and emotions to achieve serenity. The introduction notes that while the Dhammapada was not written until generations after the Buddha, it breathes the spirit of the Teacher. It portrays the world as a 'nest of disease' and the mind as capricious, yet capable of becoming a strong tower of defense. The authors, drawing on the text's stanzas, describe the Buddha as a physician of the soul who calls men from superstition and materialism. The work is characterized by common sense, mathematical precision, and a confident grasp of life's factors, devoid of passion or romance. It teaches that happiness is the bloom upon virtue and sorrow the blight upon sin. The ultimate goal is Nirvana, defined as the cessation of craving and the highest freedom, attainable through the destruction of desire and the mastery of the mind. The text concludes that while the path is solitary and difficult, the resulting peace and joy of the Arahat are ineffable and sublime.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/w-d-c-wagiswara_k-j-saunders_buddhas-way-of-virtue.epub

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy