The Dhammapada: A Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations Paperback – October 24, 2023

The first two pages of the preface to Gil Fronsdal's translation say it all: Fronsdal lays out the challenges a translator of an ancient text faces. He talks about the Dhammapada's history in English, about how "a translation mirrors the viewpoint of the translator" (pp. xi-xii)-something Easwaran never did. Most pointedly, he notes that "Hindu concepts appear in English translations done in India" (p. xii)-or by a Hindu, I might add. (Hint: think Easwaran.) He goes on to say (p. xii) "In this translation, I have tried to put aside my own interpretations and preferences, insofar as possible, in favor of accuracy." I believe he has done exactly this.Fronsdal's introduction (the preface discusses the translation issues) is not so far ranging as Easwaran's, and certainly not as lengthy, but I found it more insightful and refreshingly accurate. (Readers of my May 15, 2011 review of Easwaran's Dhammapada will understand my relief.) For example, I thought he hit the nail on the head with this pointed remark (p. xx):"The Dhammapada originated in a time, culture, and spiritual tradition very different from what is familiar to most Western readers today. We might be alerted to this difference if we compare the beginning of the Dhammapada with the opening lines of the Bible, which emphasize God's role as Creator and, by extension, our reliance on God's power. In contrast, the first two verses of the Dhammapada emphasize the power of the human mind in shaping our lives, and the importance and effectiveness of a person's own actions and choices... Ethical and mental purity [he goes on to say]...cannot be achieved through the intervention of others: `By oneself alone is one purified' (verse 165)."How different this is from Easwaran's constant-and fatuous-comparisons to Jesus and, even, Albert Einstein.The remainder of Fronsdal's introduction looks at its contrasting emotional moods-"energy and peace"-its themes, and the effects reading it have had on him. Fronsdal again demonstrates his penetration of basic Buddhist teachings when he writes on page xxix "[I]t is not the world that is negated in the Dhammapada, but rather attachment to the world (as in verse 171)." In the margin of my copy I scribbled YES!In other words, Fronsdal gets it-which is not so surprising when you consider the man has trained in both the Soto Zen and Theravadan traditions, has a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies from Stanford, and is a teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. In other words, he has every qualification needed to interpret the Buddha's teaching, qualifications Easwaran seemed to have but in fact was sorely lacking. Anyway, on to the text proper.Despite my above praise, Fronsdal does make some interpretations I thought odd, though this is not to say I didn't understand his reasoning. For example, the title of the Dhammapada's first chapter, usually rendered as "Twin Verses" or "Paired Verses," Fronsdal names "Dichotomies." Fortunately, he explains this and other such choices-which he (much to his credit) acknowledges as controversial-in detailed endnotes signified by asterisks. (This was another problem I had with Easwaran's text-I could not tell which verses his endnotes pertained to unless I went to the back of the book.) This is much appreciated; one important characteristic of any good translator is candor and clarity as to what sort of interpretive choices s/he makes and why. Fronsdal maintains high standards in this regard; he explains his choices in detail in the endnotes, and having done so the reader can then appreciate that while some of his word choices are unorthodox, they are not without merit or insight. I realize not every reader will be interested in such linguistic and terminological details, but they need to be discussed somewhere if the translator is to maintain legitimacy.As for the reading experience of Fronsdal's Dhammapada: it has the spare, poetic feel I am familiar with from other translations of Pali Buddhist texts. Also, as previously noted, he does seem to fulfill the aspiration he stated in the preface-that of producing a relatively literal translation, one reflecting its original time and place as opposed to the layers of (mis)interpretation later commentators and cultures have often imposed on the text. As a result, Fronsdal's translation feels definitively like a Buddhist text, one that should be instructive to any newcomers to the Buddha's Dhamma. I hope they will leave it wanting more.

This work will probably be appreciated more by those who are fairly familiar with Buddhism and clear about its value in their lives. It is basic scripture and it contains most of the essential theoretical points of the tradition and employs its common terminology and stylistic elements. For the more interested scholar, there are references, commentaries and connections to related sources. It is not an explanation of Buddhism or of its relevance to contemporary life. With that understanding, I have found it to be a wonderful aid to my spiritual life. The translation is very amenable to use by native English speakers while effectively conveying the essence of Buddhist teaching. An excellent addition to the library of any of us with more than a passing interest in the subject, whether that interest is merely academic or intensely personal. While I am in no position to critique Fronsdal's skill as a scholar or as a translator, I am sufficiently familiar with the broad topic of Buddhism in the West to recommend this work without hesitation. Blessings to you in your pursuit of this topic.

One measure of how good a translation is whether it can be read and understood without the footnotes.Disregarding the scholarly introduction at the front and the listing of annotations at the back, I dived right into the meat of the poetry and was immediately entranced. This translation is crisp and clear and there is a feeling for the rhythm and flow of language that must capture some of the beauty of the original.Once I had a feeling for the work, I turned with real interest to the author's introductions to read his reasons and reservations about his word choices. The information in the Afterword and Notes is fascinating but I keep returning to the text itself.One can read this simply for the poetry and also as a set of proverbs that express the thoughts and culture of the Buddha's time, if not the Buddha himself. I found myself comparing it to the Biblical book of Proverbs or to The Song of Solomon. Wisdom pithily expressed and contained in short phrases, easy to carry around with one all day.One can also read this as an inspiration for daily meditation, both to put one in the proper frame and to provide a focus.

It’s alright, but when you have to swap out the words like diligence for vigilance, you’re losing the merit. I don’t know why westerners over drama things, just keep it simple and stop editing things, your job as a translator is to explain what he’s saying, not what you want him to say.

I studied a few verses of Dhammapada as a child and now reading them again after 40+ years I see what powerful impact they had in shaping my view and direction of life. This book is an excellent translation with good introduction and notes. Anyone new and exploring the world of religion or Buddhism, must start with this.My only suggestion for future editions would be to use the actual Pali words in parentheses of chapter headings and some key words used in the verses. This will encourage the reader to learn and research the nuances of actual words in Pali, the language Buddha spoke and used for oral teachings.For example the chapter 2 heading 'vigilance' is translated as 'mindfulness' or 'heedfulness' in some other translations. The first word can evoke the image or emotion of resistance, reaction or even agression, yet 'appamada' requires one to be 'heedful' and clearly aware of ill will, hatred or agression in one's mind, body and speech. I actually got my first copy a year ago with CDs in them which I love to play often in my car. Ordered two other copies recently as gifts. Surprised to see they don't come with CDs.