Dhammapada Meaning and Message

About the Book In this volume is presented an English translation of the Pali-Dhammapada by a distinguished Buddhist monk and Pali scholar, Venerable A.P. Buddhadatta of Sri Lanka. The Meaning and Message of the Dhammapada is analysed and explained by eight eminent scholars, which include two Sri Lankan Buddhist monks, Ven. Narada and Ven. Piyadassi, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi of America, and five Indians, namely, the well-known Osho, Ven. Acharya Buddharakkhita, Prof. L.M. Joshi, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and A.K. Bandyopadhyay. The Dhammapada is also available in Prakrit and Sanskrit languages. In the last chapter, the Editor makes an interesting comparative study of the Pali, Prakrit and Sanskrit Dhammapada as well as their translations in the Chinese and Tibetan languages. All this information naturally makes this book a unique study of the Dhammapada.

The Dhammapada, which means 'The Path of Virtue' or 'The Path of Truth' is the most valuable book for understanding Buddhism as it gives the essence of the Teachings of the Buddha. Hence, it is the most popular book amongst the Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. The Pali Dhammapada was in fact the first Buddhist text ever published in Europe. It was published with a Latin translation by a Danish professor, Victor Fausboll, in 1855. By now, it has become a world classic, and has been translated into almost all the major languages of the world.

About the Author D.C. Ahir (born 1928, Punjab) is a reputed Buddhist scholar and has made a very notable contribution to the Buddhist studies. He retired as Director to the Government of India in February 1986. and since then is fully engaged in enriching Buddhist literature.

In appreciation of his noble and notable contribution as a Distinguished Scholar and Author, the Maha Bodhi Society of India, Sarnath Centre, conferred on him the Honorary Title of BAUDDHA SAHITYA SHIROMANI on 30 November 2001. Similarly, the Government of Sri Lanka, Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Colombo, conferred on him the honour of BUDDHA SASANA JYOTI on 19 January 2003. His bio-data also appears in the premier Edition of THE CONTEMPORARY WHO'S WHO 2003, for Significant Contribution to Society, published by American Biographical Institute, USA.

**Contents and Sample Pages**