The Dhammapada

The Dhammapada is a cornerstone collection of Buddha's words presented in verse form. These verses encapsulate Buddha’s teachings and offer a detailed map to liberation, its obstacles, and how to overcome them.

I have given this timeless body of wisdom a fresh voice through my poetic commentary. Each verse was deeply reflected upon and then distilled into poetry and short stories.

How This Book Was Created:
In June 2023 I embarked on a pilgrimage to India visiting places that had long called my heart. I drifted like a cloud from Ramana Maharishi at the foot of Arunachala Mountain to Ramakrishna at Belur Math in Kolkata. From the burning ghats in Varanasi to reading the Guru Granth Sahib in Amritsar's The Golden Temple.

While in Amritsar, a friend told me that in two days the Dalai Lama was scheduled to give a talk at his monastery in Dharamshala, only a few hours drive away. Easy decision, I booked a cab and was on my way. Unfortunately, when I arrived, the registration booth had just closed. My heart sank, but a monk encouraged me to return early the next morning to register. Reassured, I returned to my room nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas.

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That evening, something stirred within me to reflect on a few verses from the Dhammapada. Writing poetic commentary has always been a passion of mine, but I remember feeling deep awe at how easily inspiration painted my page. The poems seemed to be writing themselves.

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The next morning, I woke up early to meditate before heading to the registration booth. During my practice, I felt an extraordinary sense of peace. Afterward, I lay on the ground and was filled with a profound sweetness. Then in a curious half-dream, half-trance state I saw the Dalai Lama’s monastery nestled high up on the mountain. Suddenly, a brightly glowing arrow shot out from the monastery. It descended from the sky and struck me between my chest. At that moment I experienced an overwhelming rapture, a feeling impossible to put into words.

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I did not have much time to bask in my bliss - I needed to register for the talk. Grabbing a few apples from the fridge I rushed out the door. Everything went smoothly, and soon I was sitting amidst a sea of red robes with hundreds of perfectly bald heads. You could feel the sincerity, commitment, and compassion radiating off the monks. While some were indeed long-faced and grumpy, most rocked gently back and forth as if being cradled by Bodhisattvas.

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Then the Dalai Lama entered, silence fell over the hall. The monks bowed in gratitude. I followed like a child. With a radiant smile, he took his seat and began to teach no more than 100 feet away from me. One thing he said struck me deeply, “We all have a duty to care for and uplift the places we come from.” His words stirred homesickness in me but also inspired the idea of returning home to work in the Caribbean after completing my psychology degree.

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I stayed in Dharamshala for the next seven days exploring the mountains and writing commentary on the Dhammapada. For the next nine months I continued working on the commentary. Now, this labor of love is finally complete The time spent fermenting in the Dhammapada has enriched my life beyond words and I am thrilled to share what I have learned with you.

All my heart's gratitude, honour and respect to the traditions of Gautama Buddha, Padmasambhava and Longchempa who stood by my side in the writing of these poems.

21/03/2025
David J. McCartney