Cattāri Brahmavihārā

5. Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world. By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased. This is a law eternal.

Please find the audio recording of this verse below. Please take the time to recite the following three times before reading the words of Lord Buddha:

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammā Sambudhassa (3 times).

Homage to the blessed One, the Perfected One, the Fully Awakened One (3 times).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/170KskcQgzPfr2pepgh-C7BbEoZCTryS7/view

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:

Verse 5. Hatred is Overcome Only by Non-hatred

Never here by enmity
are those with enmity allayed,
they are allayed by amity,
this is the timeless Truth.

Explanation: Those who attempt to conquer hatred by hatred are like warriors who take weapons to overcome others who bear arms. This does not end hatred, but gives it room to grow. But, ancient wisdom has advocated a different timeless strategy to overcome hatred. This eternal wisdom is to meet hatred with non-hatred. The method is of overcoming hatred through non-hatred is eternally effective. That is why that method is described as eternal wisdom.

Memorize By Heart app: https://memorizebyheart.app/