Posted by: Michael Rickicki | 02/16/2021

Memorization: Dhammapada Verse 2

2. Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If, with a pure mind, one speaks or acts, happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow.

Please find the audio recording of this verse here. I have included the Namo tassa as it is customary to recite this homage before reading the words of Lord Buddha.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1idBCEgZpeFzOUCai_fYcQsGLg60ITxql

Be sure to repeat the verse, with the verse number at least ten times out loud. It helps if you can do this multiple times a day. As we progress we will eventually be trying to keep previous verses in mind as well so try to make a solid start.

The Illustrated Dhammapada, Treasury of Truth, gives the following context and explanation for the opening verse of the Dhammapada:

Explanation: All that man experiences springs out of his thoughts. If his thoughts are good, the words and the deeds will also be good. The result of good thoughts , words and deeds will be happiness. This happiness will never leave the person whose thoughts are good. Happiness will always follow him like his shadow that never leaves him.

I have also been using the Memorize By Heart app in conjunction with playing the audio file throughout the day to memorize the verse. Please find it here: https://memorizebyheart.app/

I have included my recitation of the first and second verses here as well. I intend to recite all of the verses learned to date and will provide it at the end of each post: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1WsNGIUQ0MaS2muBhrmZ0JUWWYstHV-DO


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Shillelagh Studies

A hub for the music, culture, knowledge, and practice of Irish stick-fighting, past and present.