Chapter 5, verse 62 of the Dhammapada:
'These children belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me,' with such thoughts a fool is tormented. They themselves do not belong to themselves; how much less children and wealth?
I was wondering who, it is generally thought, the Buddha was thinking that they themselves belong to?
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Dhammapada verse meaning
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Dhammapada verse meaning
by Amata » Sat Jan 05, 2013 12:58 pm
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Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by Cittasanto » Sat Jan 05, 2013 1:36 pm
Amata wrote:Chapter 5, verse 62 of the Dhammapada:
'These children belong to me, and this wealth belongs to me,' with such thoughts a fool is tormented. They themselves do not belong to themselves; how much less children and wealth?
I was wondering who, it is generally thought, the Buddha was thinking that they themselves belong to?
This is talking about non-self so no-one.
This offering maybe right, or wrong, but it is one, the other, both, or neither!
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
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Cittasanto - Posts: 5493
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Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by SDC » Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:08 pm
Cittasanto wrote:This is talking about non-self so no-one.
This.^^
He was drawing attention to the irony of a "self" having external objects that belong to it, when in the first place, this thing that is seen as "self" is a complex concept composed of internal and external objects that can not be fully controlled. And how what is not fully under control be declared as being "mine" let alone external objects not physically attached to it?
I love trying to explain this stuff, but in the end I'm not sure if I ever make sense.
Through many of samsara’s births I hasten seeking, finding not the builder of this house - pain is birth again, again.
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
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Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by Cittasanto » Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:38 pm
SDC wrote:Cittasanto wrote:This is talking about non-self so no-one.
This.^^
He was drawing attention to the irony of a "self" having external objects that belong to it, when in the first place, this thing that is seen as "self" is a complex concept composed of internal and external objects that can not be fully controlled. And how what is not fully under control be declared as being "mine" let alone external objects not physically attached to it?
I love trying to explain this stuff, but in the end I'm not sure if I ever make sense.
one question, what does the ^^ mean?
This offering maybe right, or wrong, but it is one, the other, both, or neither!
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
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Cittasanto - Posts: 5493
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
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Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by SDC » Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:42 pm
It's me pointing at your post saying that I agree with it
Through many of samsara’s births I hasten seeking, finding not the builder of this house - pain is birth again, again.
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
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SDC - Posts: 697
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Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by Mawkish1983 » Sun Jan 06, 2013 10:57 pm
Made sense to me, and I think I agree with this interpretation.SDC wrote:He was drawing attention to the irony of a "self" having external objects that belong to it, when in the first place, this thing that is seen as "self" is a complex concept composed of internal and external objects that can not be fully controlled. And how what is not fully under control be declared as being "mine" let alone external objects not physically attached to it? I'm not sure if I ever make sense.Cittasanto wrote:This is talking about non-self so no-one.
To paraphrase a wise philosopher, it's like two fleas arguing over who owns the dog.
Well, that analogy doesn't quite work, how about:
A computer game character being programmed to be [or at least, appear] upset about losing in-game money?
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Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by Cittasanto » Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:40 pm
SDC wrote:It's me pointing at your post saying that I agree with it
right
Thought you were but not sure if you were replying or agreeing, was a little confused 
This offering maybe right, or wrong, but it is one, the other, both, or neither!
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
With Metta
Upāsaka Cittasanto
Blog - Some Suttas Translated.
"Others will misconstrue reality due to their personal perspectives, doggedly holding onto and not easily discarding them; We shall not misconstrue reality due to our own personal perspectives, nor doggedly holding onto them, but will discard them easily. This effacement shall be done."
-
Cittasanto - Posts: 5493
- Joined: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:31 pm
- Location: Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man - not part of the UK)
Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by SDC » Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:26 am
Cittasanto wrote:right
Its done often on another forum I post on. I sprung it with no warning.
Through many of samsara’s births I hasten seeking, finding not the builder of this house - pain is birth again, again.
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
-
SDC - Posts: 697
- Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:08 pm
- Location: North Jersey
Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by SDC » Mon Jan 07, 2013 1:26 am
Mawkish1983 wrote:Made sense to me, and I think I agree with this interpretation.
Nice!
Through many of samsara’s births I hasten seeking, finding not the builder of this house - pain is birth again, again.
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
O builder of this house you’re seen, you shall not build a house again, all your beams have given away, rafters of the ridge decayed, mind to the unconditioned gone, exhaustion of craving has it reached.
Dhp - 153, 154
-
SDC - Posts: 697
- Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:08 pm
- Location: North Jersey
Re: Dhammapada verse meaning
by sarahypp » Fri Jan 18, 2013 12:53 pm
Very nice verse from the Dhammapada, thank you for sharing.
It does reflect our strong sense of self that we always identify things as 'mine' lol..
Can anyone share with us on the antidote to this? How does one lessen one's possessiveness?
It does reflect our strong sense of self that we always identify things as 'mine' lol..
Can anyone share with us on the antidote to this? How does one lessen one's possessiveness?
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